It was a big finish for National Circus School graduates at the 33rd Festival Mondial du cirque de demain on Sunday, January 29th in Paris. Ugo Dario and Maxim Laurin, both 2011 graduates, won a gold medal for their Korean Board (seesaw) number. They also garnered a host of special awards: the Audience Choice, State Circus of St. Petersburg, the Rosgoscirk and the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey prizes. Not to be outdone, another gold medal was won by 2005 graduates Héloïse Bourgeois and William Underwood for the Chinese Pole duo created by the 7 fingers for the show Psy. They also received the President of the Republic award!
The School's executive director, Marc Lalonde, was in Paris to attend the annual competition:
"This is an impressive double win for the School," he said, "and historic in that four graduates concurrently won two gold medals for two different numbers! In addition, the quality of the numbers presented at this 33rd competition was exceptionally high... We must acknowledge the work of these young artists, and the rigor, determination and inspiration required to perfect a technique to such a high level while infusing a truly contemporary artistic vision ... We must also pay tribute to the teachers and all who contributed to the artists' achievements. "
The two medalist duos share a special bond in other ways. First, the Chinese Pole act presented by Héloïse and William was originally created by the 7 fingers for Psy, a show directed by Shana Carroll (1993 graduate). And now Ugo and Maxim are hard at work on an upcoming 2012 production with The 7 Fingers ... the ones to watch!
The Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain is the most prestigious circus arts competition in the world. Each year it celebrates the talent of circus artists from all continents at the dawning of their careers. The Festival jury is composed of today's leading circus artists, producers and educators.
These are not the first laurels brought home by the National Circus School, which this year marks its 30th anniversary. Over the years nearly 50 students and graduates of the School have taken the podium, winning close to 40 medals and special prizes, including six gold, thirteen silver and eight bronze medals.