Montreal has a unique status in North America. It is a beautiful bilingual city, located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, with a rich culture and history. The performing arts scene is part of it. Montreal has risen to the rank of international capital of circus arts. One of the pillars of the circus scene is Le Cirque Éloize (1). According to Wikipedia, Éloize is an Acadian patois word meaning "flash of heat" in Acadia and the Magdalen Islands. The artists of the first Cirque Éloize troupe were all originally from these islands. Lightning describes their acrobatic and spectacular side; and heat, the humanity of the company, which wants to touch the heart and soul (2).

With the restrictions linked to the pandemic, shows, conferences and workshops had to be cancelled. We met with Vanessa Fournier, a spectacular acrobat, at Cirque Eloize to find out how she managed to become a leader in the circus arts.

How did Vanessa Fournier become a circus artist?

Agence Thaly: So you went to see the Cavalia show with your family and that's when you decided you would become a circus artist?

Vanessa Fournier: Exactly

AT: What steps did you take to become so successful in the circus arts? What are the main actions?

VF: Indeed, what really marked me in the show was the acrobatics on horseback. Then, as I was doing horseback riding and gymnastics since I was very young, it impressed me a lot! I thought "'OMG' I can mix the two together - this is exactly what I can do. So I enrolled in the National Circus School in Montreal, which is one of the best circus schools in the world. Then I did 5 years at the circus school. I started in balloon trapeze, without ever performing in this field. I was so excited about circus arts that I managed to perform in many other disciplines.

What does a circus artist do to stay in shape?

AT: You trained for 5 years to become a performer. So, what is training in the life of a circus artist? Everyday training, what is it?

It is a training in your specific discipline.

C’est un entraînement au niveau du chant ou la danse. Surtout le théâtre parce-que le cirque c’est aussi théâtral. Puis bien sûr la flexibilité, la musculation. Donc c’est vraiment beaucoup d'étapes d'entraînement pour être une artiste de cirque complète.
-Vanessa Fournier

AT: What would you say are the most important values when you have a dream like being a circus artist to achieve what you want?

Have confidence in yourself and really believe in your project

Believe because it is certain that there will be many pitfalls and many people who will say "my God, it's impossible! This is really a dream". But no, it's a dream that has come true, and I am the proof. -Vanessa Fournier

Vanessa Fournier's background

AT: What was your first show after 5 years of training? How did it go? Did you have an audition? What was the show?

VF: The first audition I did was Cavalia. So, the show that I really wanted to do since forever. Then I got in. I did a creation that was in Sutton for the new Cavalia show which was Odysseo. Then I went on tour with Cavalia 1. I spent 3 years on tour with them. I toured North America, Australia for a year. Then, I came back to Quebec. Then, I went back with Cirque du Soleil on AmaLuna. I did an aerial strap act in Duo. Then finally in Quebec, I did a lot of special events, weddings, in clubs, in bars, everywhere. Then, I wanted to go back, so I went back to work on a cruise ship which was the Celebrity Cruise- The Edge

Going through the pandemic.

AT: Wow, that's really fantastic about your background. I would like to know, the last two years have been very difficult for many people because of the pandemic, what has helped you live? Did you develop a new talent? Have you noticed that you have more time to work on a new project?

VF: At the beginning of the pandemic, it was difficult. I just finished a Scooby Doo-a musical. I've wanted to sing and perform in the same show for a long time. A "dream role". (dream role). This project fell through. But I continued to train and stay positive. At one point, I was tired of being home. I started a cleaning company. Now the circus is starting again, I'm very happy! AT: During the pandemic did you continue to train every day? Did you come here to Cirque Éloize? Did you train at home?

VF: It depends on the time of the pandemic. There were times when we could come here to Cirque Eloize, and then if not, it was in my living room with videos just myself, or with friends by video for motivation.

“Anything is possible!”

When asked what she would say to people who have big dreams...

Make-up for circus artists

AT: Just out of curiosity, during your shows, do you wear makeup? VF: Yes

AT: Do you have makeup on? Do you do your own makeup?

VF: No, at Cirque du Soleil when we join the show, we spend about 2 months at the headquarters to prepare, to train. Then, it's there that they show us the makeup. So, we really have steps to learn how to do our makeup. We're about 50+ artists in a show, so it's impossible for them to do all of our makeup, every day. Right now, I do my own makeup.

AT: How long does it take to do a makeup before the show?

VF: At first it took me 3-4 hours. Now I do it in an hour and a half - two hours.

AT: Did you say that this is an important aspect of your job?

VF: Well yes, because it completes the character. It allows you to really get into your character. From a distance, you're going to look for facial shapes that are more accessible to the public. Because otherwise, your face becomes a bit bland. So we have to exaggerate, accentuate the features.

AT: What are your next projects? What are you passionate about? What's coming up for you?

VF: At the moment, I have just started a course to start a business because I want to start a school of acrobatics on horseback in Quebec, on the south shore. It doesn't exist yet. So, it's really a project that I want to do and I'm starting it. AT: Bravo, that's great. I can't wait to see your school! I thank you for your time.

Vanessa fournier école de voltige à cheval

To learn more about the circus makeup program, click here.

Vanessa Fournier, a spectacular acrobat, trains at Cirque Éloize