Season 1 of Cirque du Soleil: Fire Within premiered on September 16, 2002.

This 2003 13-episode television series offers an intimate look into the dreams, trials and aspirations of a core group of performers involved in the creation and launch of "Varekai" by Cirque du Soleil. Fire Within begins eight months prior to opening-night when it remains to be seen how the performers, who have come from around the world, will survive the enormous physical and emotional demands placed upon them. Throughout the captivating series, cameras document the human experience - the drama and comedy, the victories and setbacks-and, above all, the desire to succeed that burns within these extraordinary individuals.