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| National Circus School (Montreal) | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Circus School (Montreal) |
| Native name | École nationale de cirque |
| Established | 1981 |
| Type | Private non-profit |
| Location | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Campus | Urban |
National Circus School (Montreal) The National Circus School (Montreal) was founded in 1981 as a centre for professional circus training in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and has become a flagship institution linking Cirque du Soleil, Mongolfier family, Jean Duceppe-era theatre networks and international circus traditions such as Russian circus, Chinese acrobatics and French contemporary circus. It operates within a nexus of cultural organizations including Place des Arts, Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Just for Laughs, Tangente, and collaborates with institutions like Concordia University, McGill University, Université de Montréal, Collège Dawson and arts funders such as Canada Council for the Arts. The school has hosted pedagogues and artists from Cirque Plume, Les 7 Doigts de la Main, Teatro Zinzanni, Peking Opera, and has fed talent into companies including Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Cirque Éloize, Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Mechanics and The 7 Fingers.
The genesis involved founders and partners linked to Festival d'été de Québec, Société de développement culturel de Montréal, Jacques Lemay and stakeholders from Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the National Arts Centre who sought a national centre after exchanges with Moscow State Circus School, Nanjing Acrobatic Troupe and French conservatoires like École nationale supérieure des arts et techniques du théâtre. Early collaborations brought in artists associated with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Béjart Ballet Lausanne, Odette Rainville and pedagogues from École nationale de cirque antecedents, catalyzing formal degree frameworks recognized by provincial authorities in Quebec City and linked to accreditation models in Ontario and British Columbia. Through the 1990s the institution expanded ties with international festivals such as Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Avignon Festival and residencies at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, integrating methodologies from Dmitri Vasiliev, Wang Fuliang and choreographers affiliated with Pina Bausch. Funding and policy negotiations involved players like Ville de Montréal, Ministère de la Culture et des Communications (Québec), Heritage Canada and private patrons such as supporters from Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon.
The urban campus near Quartier des Spectacles comprises studios, aerial rigs, a performance space and workshops outfitted with equipment from suppliers linked to Cirque du Soleil and international rigging standards discussed at International Federation of Circus Schools meetings. Facilities include a black box theatre used for collaborations with Place des Arts ensembles, physiotherapy suites modeled after programs at McGill University Health Centre, strength and conditioning centres aligned with protocols from Canadian Olympic Committee and rehearsal halls named in partnership with donors like Banque Nationale. The campus hosts visiting companies such as Cirque Éloize, Royal Shakespeare Company touring contingents, and houses archives that reference historic troupes including Barnum & Bailey, Zerbini and itinerant companies from Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
Curricula span vocational diplomas, professional certificates and continuing education developed with input from pedagogues associated with École Philippe Gaulier, L'École des Sables, Moscow State Circus School and movement theorists like Rudolf Laban; program components reference safety protocols promulgated by bodies including International Circus Association and sport science research from Canadian Sport Institute. Courses cover aerial disciplines influenced by Peking Opera technique, ground acrobatics rooted in Soviet circus pedagogy, clowning informed by Jacques Lecoq, physical theatre linking to Complicité and creation labs echoing collaborations with companies such as Les 7 Doigts de la Main and choreographers from Maurice Béjart lineage. Partnerships with universities enable credit recognition through exchanges with Concordia University, internships with Cirque du Soleil and applied research projects connected to Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada grants.
The school mounts annual showcases, touring productions and co-productions that have appeared at Festival TransAmériques, Edmonton Fringe Festival, Festival de théâtre des Amériques and international circuits including Adelaide Festival, Spoleto Festival USA and Venice Biennale. Productions often feature collaborations with composers, lighting designers and directors who have worked with René Dupéré, Robert Lepage, Daniel Bélanger and ensembles like Les Grands Ballets Canadiens; seasons include student work, faculty-devised pieces and premieres commissioned by presenters such as Just for Laughs and Montréal Complètement Cirque. The school's touring ensembles have performed at venues associated with Lincoln Center, Sadler's Wells, Sydney Opera House and festivals curated by Cirkus Cirkör and Cirque Plume.
Alumni and faculty have joined or founded major companies and projects linked to Cirque du Soleil, Les 7 Doigts de la Main, Cirque Éloize, Cirque du Soleil: Alegria, Cirque Mechanics, Cirque Plume, Royal Winnipeg Ballet and theatrical ventures with figures such as Robert Lepage, Sergio Trujillo and Pina Bausch collaborators. Notables include artists who performed with Blue Man Group, directed shows at La La La Human Steps-adjacent troupes, held academic posts at Concordia University and received awards like the Order of Canada, Governor General's Performing Arts Awards and international honors from Cirque du Soleil Foundation partners. Visiting faculty have included respected trainers from Moscow State Circus School, Peking Opera School, and choreographers affiliated with Compagnie Marie Chouinard.
Research initiatives intersect with sport science institutes such as Canadian Sport Institute Ontario, arts health partnerships with McGill University Health Centre, and safety standard projects coordinated with International Federation of Circus Schools and national bodies like Canadian Heritage. Outreach programs connect with community partners including Les Petits Bonheurs, YMCA, Centaur Theatre-linked youth initiatives, and festivals like Montréal en Lumière and Journées de la Culture to deliver workshops, residencies and accessibility projects supported by funders such as Fonds de recherche du Québec and philanthropic entities like Fondation du Grand Montréal. The school engages in international exchanges with institutions including National Centre for Circus Arts (UK), State Circus Academy of China and networks fostered by European Federation of Circus Schools.
Category:Education in Montreal Category:Circuses Category:Performing arts in Canada