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| La TOHU | |
|---|---|
| Name | La TOHU |
| Native name | La TOHU |
| Established | 2002 |
| Location | Montréal, Quebec, Canada |
| Type | Cultural circus complex |
La TOHU La TOHU is a Montreal-based cultural complex dedicated to circus arts, located in the Saint-Michel neighbourhood of Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 2002 as part of urban renewal and cultural policy initiatives, it serves as a performance venue, creation centre, and international meeting place linking artists, producers, and institutions. La TOHU collaborates with major festivals, theatres, cultural organizations, and municipal partners to present productions, training, and outreach.
La TOHU was inaugurated amid partnerships involving the City of Montreal, the Government of Quebec, and cultural stakeholders such as the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Cirque du Soleil, Montréal Complètement Cirque, Ville de Montréal, and provincial agencies. Its creation drew on precedents like the Nouveau Théâtre Expérimental, Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, Place des Arts, Quartier des Spectacles, and international models including Cirque Éloize and Cirque Plume. Early leadership engaged figures associated with Jean-Denis Blais, Guy Laliberté, Daniel Gauthier, and organizations like Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Compagnie Marie Chouinard, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and the National Arts Centre. La TOHU’s timeline intersects with events such as the 2002 Winter Olympics, urban projects like Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles, and cultural policy shifts involving the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec. Over the years it worked with touring producers including Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Éloize, Les 7 Doigts de la Main, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and international circus companies from France, Belgium, Brazil, Russia, and Japan.
The complex was designed in consultation with architects, engineers, and production specialists tied to projects such as Habitat 67, Olympic Stadium (Montreal), Centre Pierre-Péladeau, and renovation projects like Biosphère (Montreal). Facilities include multiple venues comparable to spaces at Placeneuve Theatre, Théâtre Maisonneuve, and adaptive structures used by companies such as Les Productions Haut-Perché and L’Opéra de Montréal. Its infrastructure supports rigging systems used by touring shows like Le Cirque Invisible, lighting grids referenced by designers from Philips Entertainment, acoustics consulted with experts who worked on Maison symphonique de Montréal, and stage mechanics similar to those in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. Backstage amenities mirror standards set by institutions like National Arts Centre and production hubs such as Banff Centre. The site includes rehearsal studios, workshops for set construction akin to facilities at Théâtre du Châtelet and Comédie-Française, and public spaces adjacent to Saint-Michel Park and transit links to Montreal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport via Société de transport de Montréal.
La TOHU presents programming that engages companies like Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Éloize, Les 7 Doigts de la Main, Cirque Plume, NoFit State Circus, Compagnie XY, and festivals such as Montréal Complètement Cirque, Just for Laughs, Festival TransAmériques, and Foire artisanale de Montréal. Productions span contemporary shows inspired by creators associated with Philippe Gaulier, choreographers linked to Marie Chouinard, directors from Robert Lepage, and designers who have collaborated with Marc-André Dalbavie and Norman Lebrecht. La TOHU hosts premieres, co-productions, residencies, and touring presentations that have featured artists from France, United Kingdom, Spain, Argentina, Cuba, and China. It also partners with presenters like Montréal en Lumière, Festival Mode & Design, Les Arts et la Ville, and broadcasters including Radio-Canada and CBC for promotion and media projects.
The organization runs outreach aligned with training institutions such as the National Circus School (École nationale de cirque), collaborations with schools like Université du Québec à Montréal, McGill University, and community groups including Centraide of Greater Montreal and La Maison des Jeunes. Programs include workshops drawing on curricula from École de Cirque de Verdun, pedagogical models used at the National Ballet School, and exchanges with international training centres like Moscow State Circus School and École nationale de cirque de Montréal. Initiatives have been coordinated with partners such as Québec Ministère de la Culture et des Communications, Centres d’art, Maison Théâtre, and neighborhood associations including Saint-Michel Community Development Corporation. Educational projects target youth, newcomers, and Indigenous organizations, involving collaborators like First Nations cultural bodies and social services such as Centre communautaire Sainte-Geneviève.
La TOHU’s funding and governance involve municipal, provincial, and private stakeholders comparable to structures used by Place des Arts Corporation, Conseil des arts de Montréal, and national funding bodies like the Canada Council for the Arts. Financial partnerships have included corporate sponsors resembling relationships with Bell Canada, RBC, and foundations such as Fondation du Grand Montréal and philanthropic entities like CanadaHelps. Governance models reflect oversight practiced by boards similar to those at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and reporting aligns with grant processes from Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Heritage Canada, and municipal cultural departments. La TOHU negotiates agreements for productions and residencies with unions and associations comparable to ACTRA, IAFF, and technical guilds active in large-scale performing arts projects.
La TOHU and its affiliated productions have received recognition in the form of honours and awards linked to institutions such as the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards, Prix Opus, Les Masques, and international festival awards from Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Avignon Festival, and Festival d'Avignon. Performances and partnerships have been cited by cultural commentators from Le Devoir, La Presse, and broadcasters like Radio-Canada and CBC/Radio-Canada; festival programming has been shortlisted for prizes associated with Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec and international accolades including awards connected to Circus500 and biennials like Venice Biennale.
Category:Circus schools Category:Performing arts centres in Montreal