Petra's formative years were spent in the picturesque Swiss landscape, where she embarked on an extraordinary journey, immersing herself in the world of circus arts at the tender age of seven. This initial exposure not only honed her skills as a performer but also instilled in her a profound sense of wanderlust, an insatiable desire to traverse the globe, and engage with diverse cultures, which would ultimately become an integral part of her identity and professional trajectory.
Person Biography:
Petra
Petra's trajectory unfolded as she devoted herself to mastering a multitude of languages, specifically French, English, and Italian, thereby cultivating a sophisticated linguistic proficiency. Concurrently, she embarked upon a two-year professional program in Movement & Theatre at Com-Art, a prestigious private institution situated in Zürich, Switzerland, which was meticulously modeled after the pedagogical approach of the renowned theatre educator, Jacques Lecoq. This comprehensive training experience granted Petra the ability to develop a wide range of visual expression forms, which would ultimately prove to be a vital component in her professional journey.
Petra's unwavering enthusiasm for the world of circus arts drove her to pursue further academic endeavors, ultimately leading her to enroll at the esteemed L'Écôle Nationale de Cirque in Montréal, Canada, where she concentrated her studies on the intricate and captivating art of Cloudswing. Under the mentorship of her Russian coach, Petra's creative energy and fearlessness converged to craft a truly breathtaking and awe-inspiring act that would go on to earn her a prestigious Bronze Lion award at the renowned International Acrobatic Festival of Wuqiao in China.
Petra's remarkable achievements in the captivating realm of circus entertainment did not go unnoticed by the keen-eyed talent scouts from the renowned Cirque du Soleil, who subsequently extended an offer to her for a three-year North American tour of their mesmerizing production, Quidam.
Petra, driven by an insatiable desire for novelty and a thirst for adventure, embarked on a bold and daring journey, relocating to the vibrant city of Los Angeles, where she embarked upon a transformative career pivot, trading in her previous profession for the thrill-seeking world of stunt work.
Her inaugural foray into the realm of stunts came in the esteemed and critically acclaimed film Minority Report, helmed by the illustrious Steven Spielberg, and starring the iconic Tom Cruise. Within this cinematic masterpiece, Petra showcased her remarkable skills and dexterity, performing a series of intricate and complex stunts, which involved a breathtaking 400-foot-long hydraulic traveling rig, a feat that demonstrated her unwavering commitment to her craft and her unrelenting pursuit of excellence.
Petra's exceptional stunt work swiftly garnered widespread recognition, and she went on to secure a diverse range of roles in numerous films and television shows, including the notable science fiction film "The Time Machine" and the visually striking animated series "Æon Flux". Moreover, she established herself as a renowned expert in the field of stunt doubling, providing skilled support to a variety of actresses, including the talented Caroline Chikezie and the highly acclaimed Charlize Theron.
Petra's impressive career in the stunt industry reached new heights in the year 2009, as she garnered not one, but two prestigious nominations at the esteemed Taurus World Stunt Awards.
Fast forward to 2019, Petra's remarkable talent and dedication to her craft were once again recognized, as she was proudly selected as a finalist for the coveted Stuntwoman of the Year award at the Celebrity and Stuntwomen's Awards.
Petra's unwavering dedication to her artistic heritage has been a defining characteristic throughout her illustrious career, as she has consistently showcased her impressive aerial skills on the Cloudswing at numerous high-profile events, including the Spiderman Movie Premiere, where her mesmerizing performance undoubtedly captivated the star-studded audience, and the Microsoft Global Sales Meeting, a testament to her versatility and ability to adapt to diverse settings and crowds.
Petra embarked upon a fresh and exciting chapter in her career in the year 2019, as she assumed the esteemed position of international expert judge on the renowned global talent competition reality television series, aptly titled The World's Best. As a representative of her native Switzerland, Petra joined a distinguished panel of judges, comprising Drew Barrymore, a renowned American actress and producer, Faith Hill, a celebrated American singer-songwriter, and RuPaul, a legendary American drag queen, model, actor, and television personality.
Petra, a multifaceted individual, has evolved into a self-sufficient stuntwoman, actor, and freelance performance artist, currently residing in Los Angeles, where she relentlessly strives to push the boundaries of visual and emotional expression, continually seeking innovative ways to convey her creative vision.
