Circus Cities with Shenea Stiletto – Montréal
“Circus Cities” is a new CircusTalk Original Video Series by “Think Like an Acrobat” host Shenea Stiletto. In each episode, Shenea will explore a city with a vibrant circus community by sitting down with artists and service providers who reside there. The conversations will range from basics to specifics, from job opportunities and training space to living opportunities and conditions, including visas and work permits. This series is designed to equip you with everything you need to know about these cities, so you can see what’s out there and feel confident in your decision to permanently or temporarily relocate…or not! The first four episodes will cover Las Vegas, Montréal, Berlin, and Dubai. What other cities do you want to see on the list?
This episode: Montréal! Meet the guests of this episode:
Carla Marques holds more than 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, and international business development, and has held executive positions at important agencies such as Cundari and TAXI. She was the Director of Marketing and International Development for Special Events at Cirque du Soleil, before moving to Milan, Italy, where she worked as the International Business Development Director for Filmmaster Events, one of the world’s most important events companies and creators of the eighteenth Olympics Ceremonies. Since 2019, she has been the Director of Development at Reimagine AI, a Montreal-based artificial intelligence creative studio building AI-powered beings and installations for international entertainment properties, exhibitions, museums, broadcasting, governments, and healthcare. In the course of her career, she was invited as an international guest speaker at prestigious events such as the World Tourism Forum in Istanbul, Turkey, where her presentation appeared in Forbes Magazine Turkey; the ICWF International Conference in Jaipur, India; the Baltic Events Forum in Tallinn, Estonia; and the International Investment Forum for Performing Arts in Gerona, Spain, just to name a few.
Véronique Dussaultrealized, after training in the arts, that her biggest strength was to make artists shine by putting them on stage. For more than a decade, she worked in shows and event production, covering all aspects of the business, before focusing on content creation and the creative management of major events. She makes her focus creating ephemeral moments that stay in memory forever. Having worked in the literary and cultural fields from 2000 to 2003, Véronique then lent her considerable talents to event marketing projects with companies such as Circo de Bakuza and Cirque du Soleil. Recognized for their unique artistic signatures, both companies enabled Veronique to take part in a great number of events around the world, working with the biggest names in the business. She has been in charge of many projects for Corporate Alliances, where she developed her straight method to artistically express a brand’s DNA and find communal values when it’s time to bring brands together and share their message through events, shows, and artistic installations. It is this expertise and passion that she brings in partnering with various production companies such as Circo de Bakuza, Efactor, Filmaster, MBAM, Ville de Montreal, Digital District, Telefilm Canada, and Moment Factory in Montreal and throughout the world, bringing to life the most ambitious projects.
Guillaume Blais has always been passionate about art and physical achievement and aspired to a career that touches people and changes his environment. Originally from the Beauce region, he moved to Montreal to complete a hairdressing diploma which brought him by chance into the world of the circus while he worked for Cirque du Soleil. It was a revelation for him since he then joined the Circus School in Verdun and specialized in trapeze duets. He then joined a college dance program, from which he drew his rigor and his search for excellence. His hard work and determination have lifted him to the highest levels of professional circus and have won him prestigious prizes at international festivals. While continuing to work for the biggest circuses in the world and thanks to his knowledge of the working conditions of artists, Guillaume wishes to become more involved with his community and create a space where they can express themselves freely. As co-founder and artistic director of Le Monastère, Guillaume acts as a catalyst of ideas and talents for the company. With a unifying spirit and a daring vision, he mobilizes the forces around him to carry out projects.
Julia Ruth is a former physicist and climate change scientist turned circus performer. After working for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Julia left her research to travel and perform professionally. While training at the San Diego Circus Center for four years, she specialized in Cyr Wheel and Hand-to-Hand. She moved to Montréal in 2019 to create a Cyr wheel act as a part of the TOHU Artistic Residency at L’École Nationale de Cirque. As of 2022, she has been training crossed wheel, splitting her training between Montréal and Las Vegas. Julia has been performing professionally for eight years on a variety of stages both nationally and internationally, ranging from private events to continent-wide tours. Julia really enjoys making a positive impact in the world and inspiring others through performance.
Shenea was also a finalist on America’s Got Talent and has continued to be a featured artist with prominent circus entertainment companies worldwide.
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