The Creative Hub Where Shows Are Dreamt Up
“My dream has always been to attract the best talent the world has to offer to Cirque, and that dream is still alive. I hope that the studio continues to become a home to creative people all over the world. Each of them is essential to what we do. They deserve all the credit in the world.” Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil.
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Performance Studios
This isn’t your typical office! This wing of our International Headquarters includes three acrobatic training rooms, a dance studio, a studio-theater, and a gym. After our casting department recruits new circus artists, Cirque du Soleil hosts them at their International Headquarters for preparatory training before joining a shows cast. Training can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, as the performers become familiar with what is required to bring this creation to life.
Our performance studio is multi-purpose. Alongside its use as a space for our circus artists to develop their skills, it also functions as a development center for new equipment and acrobatic techniques for the companies many projects. Ongoing research is conducted by an experienced team of trainers and riggers, as they work to create new and exciting acts to stun fans around the world. The performance studio hires a team of gifted engineers and advanced technology specialists who aid in making these new dreams become a reality!
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Headquarters and Environmental Commitment
Cirque du Soleil’s International Headquarters is proudly located in the Montreal borough of Saint-Michel, on the historic site of the former Miron sandpit and Montreal Waste Treatment and Disposal Centre. Built in 1997 as part of a broader urban development initiative, the headquarters embodies Cirque’s role as the cultural heart of the Saint-Michel Environmental Complex.
Reflecting the company’s creative philosophy, the surrounding landscape has been transformed into a vibrant, seasonal food garden. This garden, tended by dedicated gardeners, grows vegetables, herbs, shrubs, apple trees, and rose bushes. The fresh produce is donated to local associations, shared with employees, and given to neighbors, fostering a sense of community and sustainability.
Additionally, incentives to encourage the use of public transportation and bicycles are provided, along with the availability of electric vehicle charging stations for employees at the headquarters.
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International Headquarters
Though Cirque du Soleil now puts on shows across the globe, we have not forgotten our Quebec roots! Our International Headquarters is located in Montreal; a laboratory of imagination filled with the world’s best creative minds, craftspeople, and experts in all fields related to the arts. This unique creative environment allows artists and creators to collaborate and experiment, birthing new acts that will ignite imaginations around the world. Several local offices worldwide also provide direct support to our employees on-site.
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Community Impact and Urban Renewal
Since its inception, Cirque du Soleil has aspired to be an agent of positive change. The decision to establish its headquarters in Saint-Michel—a neighborhood recognized as one of Canada’s most sensitive—was driven by a desire to make a meaningful local impact. In the late 1990s, Cirque spearheaded a visionary project to consolidate circus arts creation, training, production, and performance infrastructure in Montreal. This led to the founding of La TOHU in 2003, a nonprofit organization created in partnership with the National Circus School and En Piste, the Circus Arts professionals National Network. La TOHU’s mission is threefold: to position Montreal as a world capital of circus arts, to actively rehabilitate the Saint-Michel Environmental Complex (one of North America’s largest urban waste disposal sites), and to contribute to the revitalization of the Saint-Michel district.
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Art Collection and Show Heritage
Cirque du Soleil’s commitment to creativity goes far beyond its performances, extending into a vibrant collection of contemporary artworks and cultural initiatives that enrich its workspaces. The company features hundreds of pieces by emerging and renowned artists from Quebec and around the world, integrating permanent and temporary art exhibits throughout its spaces to enhance employees’ daily experiences. Inspired by a desire to share art more broadly, Cirque created the Garden of Works of Art—a unique outdoor venue where visitors can explore sculptures by celebrated Canadian and international artists, set among a vegetable garden and labyrinth, with guided tours offered in the summer through La TOHU.
Further supporting artistic discovery, Cirque donates show tickets through the Access to the Arts program, promoting the work of emerging artists across disciplines such as dance, theatre, humor, music, film, and circus.
The company also preserves its creative legacy through the Show Heritage collection, which includes costumes and accessories dating from 1984 to today. These artifacts celebrate the innovation of Cirque’s designers and artisans, ensuring that the company’s artistic heritage and influence on the evolution of the performing arts continue to inspire future generations.
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