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NEW TRAINING PROGRAM  

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The free Circus Arts Technical Improvement Training is a program offered by En Piste in partnership with Collège Lionel-Groulx, Cirque Éloize, The 7 Fingers and TOHU, with the support of the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
The training is designed for stage technicians, lighting technicians, stage managers and technical directors who have not worked extensively in the circus arts or who wish to perfect their skills.

It is also aimed at circus artists with relevant experience in stage technique, who wish to become more familiar with the particularities of the discipline.

TRAINING GOALS
1. Facilitate access to a training program for a wider diversity of technicians (including technical directors) and artists, by offering equitable learning opportunities.
2. Develop and consolidate their knowledge of the circus arts to ensure best practices in the field.
3. Strengthen their skills to encourage job retention.
4. Facing the challenges of labor scarcity.
5. Meet an imperative demand for qualified technicians and directors within circus companies.

PREREQUISITES
Adequate professional experience in the chosen discipline(s) is essential. However, stage technicians are not required to have circus arts expertise.


 

APPLICATION FORM
To submit your application, please complete the registration form, select the desired training modules (see below) and send us your curriculum vitae. Selected candidates may be invited to a telephone interview.

A email of acceptance or refusal will be sent to each candidate along with the invoice for registration fees in case of acceptance.


 

PROGRAM
The Circus Arts Technical Improvement Training Program
comprises of 1 compulsory and three (3) elective modules, allowing participants to meet, exchange ideas, and benefit from the expertise of several industry professionals to enhance and strengthen their skills.


NEW THIS YEAR


CONFERENCES
Speakers, specialists in their field, will add their voices to those of the trainers and share their experiences from the field.

TRAVEL SUPPORT
Thanks to the Impulsions Compétences grant program from the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail, this year En Piste can reimburse 50% of travel expenses and one night’s accommodation for some participants not residing in Montreal (subject to available funds). We ask that you include your needs in the submission form so we can take them into consideration.


MODULES

You can select the modules of your choice (lighting, stage management, technical direction ) directly on the registration form. Module Introduction to the world of circus is mandatory. You can choose up to three modules, but acceptance is at the discretion of the trainers based on your CV and available spots. As far as possible, we hope to offer you two modules in addition to Module 1.

Introduction to the World of Circus (7 hours - mandatory module)
Online / Thursday, January 23 and Friday, January 24, 2025 / from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Circus Lighting (11 hours over 2 days)
Online / Tuesday, January 28 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

In-person / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 / from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Les 7 doigts de la main (2111 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montreal)

Circus Stage Management (14 hours over 3 days)
Online / Monday, February 3 and Tuesday, February 4, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

In-person / Wednesday, February 5, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Cirque Éloize (417 Rue Berri, Montreal)

Circus Technical Direction (21 hours over 3 days)
In-person (rigging part) / Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Cirque Éloize (417 Rue Berri, Montreal)

In-person (creation part) / Monday, February 10 and Tuesday, February 11, 2025 / from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: La TOHU (2345 Jarry Est, Montreal)

MODULE DESCRIPTION

Introduction to the World of Circus

  • The history of circus
  • Acrobatic disciplines and their specifics
  • Safety issues related to each discipline
  • The human body
  • Different types of productions
  • Key positions and their functions
  • Creation and touring

Circus Lighting

  • The circus lighting designer in creation
  • The lighting creation process
  • Lighting in relation to different disciplines
  • The lighting plan
  • Adapting from venue to venue on tour
  • The circus lighting designer on tour
  • Communication
  • The human body and the execution of a show
  • Safety procedures

Circus Stage Management

  • Creation stage management in circus and the assistant
  • Different disciplines and their specifics
  • The creation process
  • Rehearsal schedule
  • The creation stage management notebook
  • Touring stage management
  • The human body and its rhythm
  • Touring schedule
  • Specifics of outdoor performances
  • Safety procedures
  • Emergency management

Circus Technical Direction

  • Circus technical direction for creation
  • The organizational chart and production schedule
  • Preliminary documentation
  • Supplier management
  • Safety aspects
  • Technological developments
  • The creation process
  • Specifics of scenography
  • Technical specifications and plans
  • Acrobatic rigging
  • Engineering principles and load calculations
  • Technical direction for touring
  • The organizational chart for a tour including the promoter
  • The tour from A to Z (planning, logistics, team, schedule, safety aspects)
  • Human relations
 

PRICING

Registration is flat-rate and does not depend on the number of modules chosen.

Subsidized rate: $195.00

(Actual cost of training: $1,270.00)

TRAINING METHOD
Lectures with practical workshops.


 

TRAINING COORDINATORS
Louise Riel, Pedagogical Advisor, Continuing Education, Collège Lionel-Groulx
André Simard, Coordinator, Continuing Education, Collège Lionel-Groulx


 

REGISTRATION FORM


 

More information: 

Mathilde Perahia Continuing Education & Development
[email protected]514 529-1183, poste 2


 

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TRAINERS

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Photo_Tania P. Viau

MAXIME CLERMONT-M

Maxime Clermont-M. began his career as a technical director, lighting designer, and stage manager. He made valuable contributions to numerous projects in music, circus, and theater. His technical and managerial expertise later led him to the role of technical coordinator at the La Ronde amusement park. In 2018, he joined the Cirque Éloize family, progressing from technical and logistics coordinator to operations director for the touring show department, and eventually to deputy director of human resources. Today, he shares his passion for the performing arts as a full-time instructor at Collège Lionel-Groulx, where he also coordinates the Stage Production program. His diverse professional experience and commitment to training future talent demonstrate his deep interest in people, making him a key figure in Quebec's performing arts and entertainment industry.

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Photo_Bernadette Labelle

GUILLAUME LABELLE

Graduated from Collège Lionel-Groulx in stage management and techniques in 2007, Guillaume Labelle has become, over the years, a meticulous, committed, and compassionate manager. He began his career as a technician for various theater productions, and in 2009, he crossed paths with the circus world—a true instant connection. Starting as head carpenter for Cirque Éloize’s show Nebbia and later head lighting designer for Rain, comme une pluie dans tes yeux from the same company, he discovered international touring and gained experience in multiple roles, making him a versatile candidate with extensive hands-on knowledge. He went on to serve as the technical director for Compagnia Finzi Pasca’s show Donka. Upon returning to Montreal, he contributed to major productions like Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia and Compagnia Finzi Pasca’s Montréal AVUDO for Montreal’s 375th anniversary. Since 2016, he has collaborated with the Montréal Complètement Cirque festival. His expertise and drive for excellence have enabled him to rise through the ranks, earning him the roles of event producer and associate producer at TOHU.

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Photo_Dominic Moreau

TANYA PETTIGREW

Since graduating from the Collège Lionel-Groulx’s Professional Theater School in 2009, Tanya Pettigrew has thrived in the world of performing arts and circus. With experience across management, technical, and artistic roles, she has contributed to numerous circus productions and tours both in Quebec and internationally. She began her career as a touring lighting designer before transitioning to stage manager, a role she still holds today. Among the companies she has collaborated with are Les 7 doigts de la main, Cirque Éloize, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Cirque du Soleil, the Opéra de Montréal, the National Circus School, Montréal Complètement Cirque, and many others. Since fall 2021, Tanya has been teaching stage management and production assistance at the Collège Lionel-Groulx’s Professional Theater School, where she shares her passion for the craft with new generations.

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OLIVIER ROSA

Olivier Rosa has been working in the performing arts industry since 1995, focusing primarily on lighting and, for over 15 years, on technical direction. After starting as a lighting technician in a theater, he began touring in 2001, first within Quebec and then internationally from 2005 onward. He has designed lighting for various musical artists, such as Chloé Ste-Marie, Florence K, and Alain Morisod & Sweet People, as well as for numerous circus shows by Les 7 doigts de la main and independent circus artists like Krin Haglund and Jamie Adkins. Since 2002, he has frequently taken on dual roles as technical director and lighting designer. He has worked in this capacity on multiple tours, including those for Annie Brocoli, Michel Marc Bouchard's play Le peintre des madones (Espace GO), Les 7 doigts de la main, Krin Haglund, and Jamie Adkins. He also served as technical director for the renowned International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu for four years. Since 2016, after 16 years of touring, including 11 internationally, he has been the technical director for Les 7 doigts de la main, overseeing their studios in downtown Montreal since 2018. Recently, Olivier took on the technical direction of Supply & Demand Studio, a sister company of Les 7 doigts de la main.

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MARIEKE SEGUIN

Marieke Séguin is a bit like the MacGyver of the performing arts: give her a few ropes and some carabiners, and voilà! She’ll have an aerialist soaring through the air without spilling a drop of her coffee. A rigging specialist in Québec, she also trains stage technicians—because, let’s face it, someone has to let them know that “It’ll hold just fine” isn’t an official technique.

On top of all that, Marieke teaches at the National Theatre School. In other words, she doesn’t just set up trusses and motors; she turns them into show-stopping spectacles with lessons that rival blockbuster hits. Between tightening cables, she also advises artistic productions: head rigger, consultant, teacher... You name it. If you’re looking for her, just follow the ropes—you’ll find her at the top.

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