02 Jul 2011
July newsletter
To receive the newsletter, register on the main page of the site (on the right bottom corner)
Summary:
Annual shows
Benefit evening
Spotlight on our graduates
Creation and exploration workshop
Montréal Complètement Cirque
Summer activities
Graduate news
In brief
Annual shows
The School's 2011 graduating class and upper-class students took centre ring at Tohu to present two shows from May 31 to June 12, 2011. Messa and Pomme grenade, directed by Julie Lachance and Marie-Josée Gauthier respectively, attracted more than 17,000 spectators. And both shows earned ovations from the public and critics alike. This annual springtime ritual has become a must-see circus event on the Montreal scene, and also provides an exceptional showcase for our students. Read more
Benefit evening
The National Circus School Foundation held its 2011 Benefit Event on June 2. Once more this effort proved a great success, raising $200,000 towards the School's public events for its students. The evening was presided over by honorary chair Réjean Lévesque, Executive Vice President, National Bank Financial Group. Read more
Spotlight on our graduates
At the annual graduation ceremony on June 12, the School awarded 19 higher-education diplomas in circus arts and 15 diplomas to teachers of circus arts. We wish these new circus performers and teachers from the 2011 flight a long and rewarding career! Read more
Creation and exploration workshop
Six graduating students and recent graduates were selected for the Attestation of Collegial Studies, Creation and Exploration Workshop. Under the direction of choreographer Tony Chong, the group will be in residence at the Banff Centre in Alberta over the coming weeks. The resulting work in progress will be presented at the end of the session to audiences on July 26. Returning to Quebec, the Workshop will continue through the fall, with the end result to be presented next October 14 and 15 at Tohu. Read more
Festival Montréal Complètement Cirque
A great many of the School's students and graduates will participate in the Montréal Complètement Cirque festival, back for a second edition from July 7 to 24! The festival has assembled 15 international and local companies for circus lovers to discover. No fewer than 200 artists will participate in this celebration of the circus that will take part in 15 different locations around the city. Read more
The National Circus School is a beehive of activity, even in summer!
Equestrian Acrobatics
Eight students from our advanced programs will take an introductory course in equestrian acrobatics or voltige. Under a big top erected onsite at Tohu, the workshop will be given by Frank Innocenti and Caleb Carinci Asch.
Summer Camps
From July 11, the School will host close to 100 young circus artists from the four corners of the country — and the planet! This summer program, in the form of a one-week intensive for young people 9-to-12 years of age and a two-week session for those 13-to-17 years, provides an opportunity to experience professional training in circus arts.
Read more
• Several School graduates are set to shine during the shows created and presented during the Montréal Complètement Cirque 2011 festival.
Read more
• Shana Carroll (1993) directs the acrobatics staging for the latest Cirque du Soleil production Iris, which opens in July at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. This new show is a lyrical, playful and kinetic excursion into the heart of the cinema. Several graduates also appear on the playbill, including Raphael Cruz (2005) who will play a principal role.
• The third season of the televised show La vie est un cirque (Life is a Circus) begins on July 24 on TV5. Artistic direction for the 42 numbers is provided by Jeannot Painchaud (1993), and numbers are directed by Johanne Madore, Sofranie Trencia andGeneviève Dorion-Croupal. Also featured are several School graduates.
In brief
• An art work created by Annie Thibault has been installed in the School's residences. It was inspired by the traces of atomic particles, powered by a whirlwind force. It references the circus's twists and moves, echoing the work Sur le dos du vent by Pierre Fournier that is found at the School's entrance.
• As part of Fête Nationale du Québec festivities in Brussels and London, Louis-Marc Bruneau-Dumoulin (2011 graduate) was invited to perform a balancing number.
• This summer the National Circus School will participate in a province-wide tour of the Fabuleux Cirque Jean Coutu. Yves Dagenais, a teacher at the School, serves as director for the show, during which the School's students will take to the stage.
Check the show calendar
• The City of Montreal has given carte blanche to the multimedia company Moment Factory to create an original video with the aim of promoting collaboration among Montrealers. The School took great pleasure in participating by giving life to the letter 'B'…
Watch the video
