11 days in, and I find myself back at Cirque Du Soleil's headquarters. I selected Montreal as my starting point because of Cirque (as it is called for short.) As the story goes Guy Laliberte selected the location of the headquarters in a rundown part of town in order to revitalize the area. Also housed in the same neighborhood is TOHU- The City of Circus Arts (making circus accessible to the community), and the National Circus School, one of the best professional contemporary circus schools in the world today.
The building is without a doubt beautiful and houses everything Cirque Du Soleil. This means that not only are the financial, HR, marketing, corporate-type offices here, but also everything on the creative side. From shoe manufacturers, to screen printers, to cloth dyers, to wig makers, to the library, to make-up studios, to rehearsal space, to artist and crew lodging, it is all here. In addition, there are two cafeterias with gourmet food. Naturally the gardens surrounding the complex supply the veggies. I am completely thrown off by their efforts at becoming a sustainable unit, as such a successful company. They even make the wigs by HAND, strand by strand!
I am taken on a tour of the complex where I pass dozens of model heads. I learn that up until 2008 every artist performing in one of the 22 shows around the world has a model head (now it is done virtually with a computer.) This is so that they can make the masks, hats and more without flying them back to the headquarters. I also learn that every artists does their own make-up for every show. They learn every stroke of the design right here at headquarters before being sent off to their show. It takes up to 3 hours for each artist to finish before each show. The fabulous painted faces of Cirque Du Soleil is one of the aspects that makes the shows special. Every three months all costumes are replaced for each show- every single costume is made here.
They make an effort to make everything- including their food- from scratch. But I shouldn't have been too surprised. After all this is the company that started Cirque Du Monde. They are at the forefront of Social Circus. It was my pleasure to interview and spend 2 whole days with the people at the top of Cirque Du Monde. I met with Lino, Margarita, Sonia, and Anik, all of whom help organize projects around the world. Cirque Du Monde, by nature very modest about what they do, does not claim to be the first or the last Social Circus organization, but it does claim that their brand of Social Circus works.
I am particularly taken with one aspect of their organization. They don't come in and set up projects around the world. They are very against setting up a project and then leaving it. Thus they partner with local non-profits, both circus and social ones, and supply circus trainers and/or circus training to local instructors. They then check carefully in on these projects around the world. Currently they serve over 80 communities around the world. In addition they hold social circus instructor trainings. I am inspired by their dedication to the work they do.
I have come to Montreal first for this experience. To immerse myself in what Social Circus looks like at its best and also most corporate. Cirque Du Monde has managed to legitimize social circus around the world in its near 16 year existence. With about 50 employees worldwide Cirque Du Monde sends a message that Social Circus can be done effectively and well.
Oh and did I mention that I god to watch some rehearsal. Bafflingly beautiful performers which such intense strength it is frightening. I need to speed up my own training!
Throughout my trip I will be visiting Cirque Du Monde sites. I was able to confirm my participation in some of the sites specifically in Brazil during my meetings. Time to brush my my Portuguese...more like learn it...
I know this was a long post and read slightly like a book report, but I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT SOCIAL CIRCUS!
No comments:
Post a Comment