History

L’École de cirque de Verdun opens its doors in January 1988, with its first session in the gymnasium of l’École Notre-Dame Des 7 Douleurs, with Michel Legault and Jacqueline Massé, within the framework of the recreational services of the city of Verdun ;
Krzysztof Soroczynski, founder of the Eloïze circus, joins the team in 1991 and becomes a founding member of the school upon its incorporation ;
A turning point for l’ÉCV occurs in 1993, when students participating in the Festival de cirque de Lévy perform for the first time under a real big top. It is at this event that people such as Nicolas Boivin-Gravel (Éloïze), Jean-Philippe Cuerrier (Éloïze), Émilie Brunet, Marie-Élaine Mongeau (Cavalia) and many others catch the circus bug ;
In 1994, the school troupe participates for the first time in the Montreal International Jazz Festival; this will then become a tradition. It is an ideal occasion for the young people to present a street show and this, before a crowd of over 800 people ;
On June 10th, 1996, l’ECV moves its activities to the Guy Gagnon arena. The School initiates a development plan to meet the ever-growing demand for circus arts training ;
In the fall of 1997, l’ÉCV becomes a member of “En Piste”, a group which is made up of several circus art companies. Through its mission and activities, l’ÉCV increasingly positions itself as an outreach enterprise for this sector ;
In 1998, l’ÉCV participates in “Parasol Circus”, sponsored by “En Piste”. It is a presentation of the first initiation workshops in circus arts for the general public and includes a show by the troupe in Ottawa and Vancouver. After this event, l’ÉCV refines the parameters of its mission and orients itself specifically towards training. In the same year, l’ÉCV organizes a benefit event at Monument-National with the Cirque Éloïze show “Excentricus”. The ÉCV school troupe performs the first part and has the opportunity to mingle with professional artists ;
In 1999, l’ÉCV improves its organization by developing permanent administrative, management and training positions. More than 175 students take recreational circus courses, 200 children attend the summer day camp and as many as 8,000 youth are initiated into circus arts through the one day workshops ;
In the summer of 2000, l’ÉCV offers initiation workshops in circus arts to the general public during the Canada Day festivities at the Old Port in Montreal. More than 40 employees participate in this event. This experience is repeated on a smaller scale in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004;
The expertise developed at l’ÉCV is forged and leads it to participate in several consultations in recreational training, preparatory training and the training of trainers:
- Setting up of preparatory program;
- Workshop on the training of the sector at “En Piste”;
- 2nd International Meeting on circus arts training in Avignon, in July 2001;
- Participation in the Quebec cultural mission to Mexico, in April 2002;
- Participation in the circus arts training committee.
In April 2002, l’ÉCV is recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Communications of Quebec, joining l’École national de cirque, to offer the Preparatory program in professional studies.
In December 2002, l'ÉCV finishes its year with a phenomenal attendance record: 212 participants taking recreational training, 12 students enrolled in training in the preparatory program, 300 children attending summer day camps and more than 12,000 youth touch circus arts through one-day initiation workshops;
In 2003, l'ÉCV undertakes the enhancement of the School site by promoting a broadcasting, production and creation studio, dedicated to the performing arts and, more specifically, to circus arts. Several cultural establishments already use this service: the Eloïze circus, Justin Case, the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, Repercussion Theatre, etc. ;
In 2004, an intensive one-week training project in the Far North is elaborated in partnership with the Badabin Eeyou school. As well as trying out circus techniques, this project has as its objective to bring the Cree, Inuit and Quebec cultures closer together. Furthermore, the numerous talents of our young circus performers will be put front and centre during a benefit evening for Canadian athletes.
In 2005, the School pursues its mission of accessibility by offering initiation into the circus arts during events held off its premises: the Montreal Children’s Festival at Parc Maisonneuve, En Ballon Nous in Verdun, etc. The School participates in the Week for the Arts of the circus in Îles-de-la-Madeleine. As well, l’École de cirque de Verdun contributes to the publication of a book, Le Cirque, in the series Curieux de Savoir, published by Dominique and Co.
In 2006, l’École de cirque de Verdun celebrates its 15th year as a social economy enterprise. This event is highlighted by a festive program which includes a mystery Cabaret, a 15th annual show and a benefit evening. The School registers its initiation workshops, its “Écureuil” show and its day camps in the Programme de soutien à l’école montréalaise (a program that supports Montreal schools). The initiation into circus arts workshops cross the 15,000-participants threshold and the recreational courses have over 730 registrations. The School is also recommended in the Guide Petit Futé Montréal 2006-2007.
In 2007, the School registers its fund-raising campaign in the Programme Placements culture du Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec. In March, it organizes a benefit cocktail event followed by a Cabaret evening presented by the Preparatory Program and invited artists.