Panels
Key Note Speaker
Surviving and Thriving in Circus – Anecdotes and Advice from Marsha Kennington.
Thursday, June 23, 2022 | 3:00 – 4:00 pm | Campus Saint-Jean, Auditorium 1-08
FREE/No Registration Required
Marsha is one of the pioneers of circus in English Canada.
Her career began as an aerialist/acrobat, touring North America for 10 years before settling in Ontario. She has been actively teaching, performing, and building a circus community in Toronto since the 1980’s, starting the Harbourfront Centre Circus Camp in 1988 and co-founding the city’s first circus school in 1991. She has mentored many circus artists on their journey, while continuing to perform and stay involved with social circus. She has many stories to share, stories of struggle, stories of change, stories of success. Marsha walked so we could fly.
Industry Series
Rigging Hardware 101 – How Not to Get Yelled at by People on the Internet
Friday, June 24, 2022 | 11:00-12:30 pm | Campus Saint-Jean, Amphitéâtre 1-01
FREE/No Registration Required
In a world where people are increasingly learning skills on the Internet, there is a flurry of information going back and forth, usually ending up in a debate about how your rigging hardware is upside down and backwards. The goal of this session is to show various pieces of small hardware and facilitate discussion as to their proper usage and use less hardware to gain working height on your rigs.
Presenter:
Graeme Janzen – Gaslamp FX
Industry Series Panel Discussion
Evolution of Artistic Practices Post-Covid
Friday, June 24, 2022 | 1:00-2:30 pm | Campus Saint-Jean, Amphitéâtre 1-01
FREE/No Registration Required
How has life changed for touring circus artists in the last two years? Are these changes with us for the foreseeable future? Let’s talk about what life is like for a circus artist in 2022 & beyond. Come chat with us!
Facilitator:
Anahareo DÖlle ST JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL CIRCUS FEST
Panelists:
Sidonie Adamson
Eric Bates Barcode Circus Company
Samantha Halas Frostbite Circus
Kate Ryan The Little Red Ball Company
Industry Series Panel Discussion
Taking it to the streets Talking about outdoor performing
Friday, June 24, 2022 | 3:30-5:00 pm | Campus Saint-Jean, Amphitéâtre 1-01
FREE/No Registration Required
Performing outdoors offers immediate accessibility for both audiences and artists. However, there are specific challenges for the performers. Why suffer through every weather system, battery-powered technology that dies mid-show, hecklers, and concrete? What is the difference between “busking” and performing at a street festival? How is new technology changing the experience? Let’s talk with circus artists and producers who are currently living this exciting life!
Facilitator:
Holly Treddenick Femme de Feu
Panelists:
Aytahn Ross Acme Circus
Dan Craig The Street Circus
Kimberly Craig The Street Circus
Idris Stanton Circus Firemen & Wham Glam Circus Man
Paul Bezaire Edmonton International Street Performers Festival
5@Cirque
FREE/No Registration Required
5@Cirque, or Circus Happy Hour, began in Montreal during the spring of 2020.
Christine Bouchard, the Executive Director of En Piste, would put the call out for circus people to gather on zoom at 5pm EST, with a drink in hand. It was a way to connect, a way to visit, a way to stay sane. Now that we are out and about, 5@Cirques can happen in person!
Join us on Friday, June 24th from 5:00 – 7:00pm on the patio at Café Bicyclette for Alberta’s first official 5@Cirque, in partnership with En Piste the National Circus Arts Alliance.
Special performance by CGT’s Melanie Smith-Doderai
Industry Series Panel Discussion
East meets west Developing Networks to Strengthen the Circus Sector
Saturday, June 25, 2022 | 12:00-1:30 pm | Campus Saint-Jean, Amphitéâtre 1-01
FREE/No Registration Required
Contemporary Circus is on the rise across Canada, and Montreal is arguably the current world capital of this art form. As circus grows in popularity from Newfoundland to BC, there are more opportunities for productions and teachers to tour. How can we develop more touring networks? How can we cover the massive distances across Canada in an environmentally conscious and respectful way? Let’s brainstorm ideas for bringing more circus to more people!
Facilitator:
Sarah Poole École de Cirque de Québec
Panelists:
Tim Roberts En Piste/EQC
Carole Demers ST JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL CIRCUS FEST
Kevin Bissonnette Les 7 Doigts de la Main
Nicholas Beach Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre
Mike Hirschbach Halifax Circus
Industry Series Panel Discussion
Ok, I’m Inspired, Now What? Professional Development Options for Circus Artists
Sunday, June 26, 2022 | 12:00-1:30 pm | Campus Saint-Jean, Amphitéâtre 1-01
FREE / No Registration Required / In French and English
After 3 days of contemporary circus happening in town, are you ready for more? Are you wanting to push your own skill set higher? Come and chat directly with people that have opportunities to share. We will introduce you to representatives from École Nationale de Cirque, École de Cirque de Québec, The Lab (TOHU), Circus Sessions (ON), and Alberta reps from the Green Fools and Firefly Theatre. You will have the chance to speak directly with our panelists in this speed-dating style event. Find out what your next professional development option can be!
Facilitator:
Tim Roberts École de Cirque de Québec
Panelists:
Eric Langois École Nationale de Cirque
Sabine Jean TOHU/The Lab
Holly Treddenick Circus Sessions/
Femme du Feu Creations
Shelley Bareham Green Fools Theatre
Stephanie Gruson Firefly Theatre & Circus