Because such opportunities are rare in the arts community, we want to offer mentorship programs to emerging artists (ages 15 to 29, or a company that has been in existence for less than 10 years). We provide 300 hours of personalized coaching from our experts, made possible thanks to support from the RBC Fund and the 1001 Youth Fund:
- Creative and Artistic Direction
- Acrobatic Coaching
- Technical Direction
- Rigging
OUR EXPERTS
Creative and Artistic Direction
ANDREW CORBETT
Andrew Corbett is a creative director and stage director with more than 30 years of experience in circus, dance, theater, and large-scale entertainment. A former leading dancer in London, his career has taken him from the West End and Broadway to major international productions staged around the world. He spent 13 years at Cirque du Soleil as an artistic director and choreographer, contributing to numerous international productions and special events. Now serving as creative director at Cirque Éloize, Andrew oversees the development and creation of original productions, blending circus, movement, storytelling, music, and visual design to create unique theatrical experiences for audiences around the world.
NICO LAGARDE
A stage artist, director, playwright, and artistic coach, Nico Lagarde has been active in theater, film, dance, and circus for over forty years, always guided by the same standard: to bring forth a stage presence that is intense, authentic, and deeply embodied. For many years, she has worked with artists at the École nationale de cirque de Montréal as an artistic coach, playwright, and director. There, she has developed and staged numerous acts, guiding several generations of students through the pivotal transition from mastering their discipline to establishing a personal artistic voice. Several of these creations have been presented at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain.Sought after as a coach for her keen insight into performance, movement, and the dramaturgy of the body, she now works with artists and companies to develop acts, characters, and circus-based narratives in which virtuosity is never divorced from meaning. Her approach begins with the artist—their uniqueness and what their body already embodies—to help bring forth a presence and a language that are uniquely their own.
Throughout her career, she has collaborated with several major contemporary circus companies, including Cirque du Soleil, Machine de Cirque, Cirque Éloize, Cirque Monti, and Cirk La Putyka.
An author, creator, and artistic director, she simultaneously develops her own projects within L’Autre Animal, including *Des fleurs dans les bottes*, which blends playwriting, circus art, and poetic imagination.
Andrew Corbett is a creative director and stage director with more than 30 years of experience in circus, dance, theater, and large-scale entertainment. A former leading dancer in London, his career has taken him from the West End and Broadway to major international productions staged around the world. He spent 13 years at Cirque du Soleil as an artistic director and choreographer, contributing to numerous international productions and special events. Now serving as creative director at Cirque Éloize, Andrew oversees the development and creation of original productions, blending circus, movement, storytelling, music, and visual design to create unique theatrical experiences for audiences around the world.
NICO LAGARDE
A stage artist, director, playwright, and artistic coach, Nico Lagarde has been active in theater, film, dance, and circus for over forty years, always guided by the same standard: to bring forth a stage presence that is intense, authentic, and deeply embodied. For many years, she has worked with artists at the École nationale de cirque de Montréal as an artistic coach, playwright, and director. There, she has developed and staged numerous acts, guiding several generations of students through the pivotal transition from mastering their discipline to establishing a personal artistic voice. Several of these creations have been presented at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain.Sought after as a coach for her keen insight into performance, movement, and the dramaturgy of the body, she now works with artists and companies to develop acts, characters, and circus-based narratives in which virtuosity is never divorced from meaning. Her approach begins with the artist—their uniqueness and what their body already embodies—to help bring forth a presence and a language that are uniquely their own.
Throughout her career, she has collaborated with several major contemporary circus companies, including Cirque du Soleil, Machine de Cirque, Cirque Éloize, Cirque Monti, and Cirk La Putyka.
An author, creator, and artistic director, she simultaneously develops her own projects within L’Autre Animal, including *Des fleurs dans les bottes*, which blends playwriting, circus art, and poetic imagination.
Technical direction
MARC-ANTOINE SIROIS
Marc-Antoine Sirois works in the field of production and technical services for live performances and events. He operates at the intersection of technical direction, coordination, and the design of stage solutions.
Accustomed to multidisciplinary productions, he serves as the liaison between the technical, artistic, and production teams. Pragmatic and creative, he enjoys turning ideas into concrete solutions, while paying close attention to logistics, details, and on-site realities.
Marc-Antoine Sirois works in the field of production and technical services for live performances and events. He operates at the intersection of technical direction, coordination, and the design of stage solutions.
Accustomed to multidisciplinary productions, he serves as the liaison between the technical, artistic, and production teams. Pragmatic and creative, he enjoys turning ideas into concrete solutions, while paying close attention to logistics, details, and on-site realities.
Acrobatic Coaching
ANDRÉ ST-JEAN
A leading figure in the field of acrobatics in Quebec, André St-Jean is one of those rare artist-educators who have profoundly influenced several generations of circus performers. A recognized specialist in the teeterboard and the Korean plank, for over forty years he has developed a practice in which technical rigor is combined with a keen understanding of risk, rhythm, and trust. His career spans both elite sports and circus creation, major international tours and advanced training. For him, virtuosity is never merely a feat: it is rooted in precise physical commitment, a commanding stage presence, and a rare rigor in teaching.
A sought-after teacher, he guides artists, companies, and institutions in developing ambitious, safe, and expressive acrobatic styles. His contribution is often decisive in ensuring a project’s technical solidity and human spirit.
A leading figure in the field of acrobatics in Quebec, André St-Jean is one of those rare artist-educators who have profoundly influenced several generations of circus performers. A recognized specialist in the teeterboard and the Korean plank, for over forty years he has developed a practice in which technical rigor is combined with a keen understanding of risk, rhythm, and trust. His career spans both elite sports and circus creation, major international tours and advanced training. For him, virtuosity is never merely a feat: it is rooted in precise physical commitment, a commanding stage presence, and a rare rigor in teaching.
A sought-after teacher, he guides artists, companies, and institutions in developing ambitious, safe, and expressive acrobatic styles. His contribution is often decisive in ensuring a project’s technical solidity and human spirit.
Rigging
GUILLAUME MÉNARD-CRÊTE
Guillaume Ménard-Crête is a technician and acrobatic rigger specializing in the circus and performing arts. Trained in stage rigging and theater production, he has extensive experience in touring and technical design. He has been collaborating with Cirque Éloize since 2017, where he currently serves as chief acrobatic rigger. Throughout his career, he has also worked with Les 7 Doigts, 45 Degrees, and numerous organizations in the cultural sector. As an instructor, coach, and mentor, he actively contributes to passing on technical and acrobatic expertise.
Guillaume Ménard-Crête is a technician and acrobatic rigger specializing in the circus and performing arts. Trained in stage rigging and theater production, he has extensive experience in touring and technical design. He has been collaborating with Cirque Éloize since 2017, where he currently serves as chief acrobatic rigger. Throughout his career, he has also worked with Les 7 Doigts, 45 Degrees, and numerous organizations in the cultural sector. As an instructor, coach, and mentor, he actively contributes to passing on technical and acrobatic expertise.