2007Citizenship Review - Cirque du Soleil

Toward a Committed Cirque
2007Citizenship Review

2007 Citizenship Review
FPO
Cert no. XXX-XXX-000
Toward aCommitted Cirque
A star shines for Cirque du Soleil. It has already given us much and it offers
us even more. Sharing this star is working with passion and love to build
a better world.
Guy Laliberté
Founder
The year 2007 was rich and bountiful for Cirque
du Soleil throughout the world. More than 10 million people saw a
performance by Cirque in one of the 200 cities we visited during this period.
And for the first time in nearly a decade, two new Cirque du Soleil shows
premiered in the same year.
KOOZA has been thrilling North American
audiences under the blue-and-yellow Big Top
since its premiere in the spring of 2007. Born
of the fertile imagination of director David
Shiner, a Cirque du Soleil ® stalwart in the
earliest days of the company, KOOZA reaches
back to the deepest roots of the circus to
bring to life the eternal confrontation between
fear and awe during the course of an
incredible, wild journey.
Meanwhile, Wintuk is a heartwarming winter
tale, recounting the journey of a young boy
who wants to bring snow and joy to the heart
of a grey winter. This first-ever seasonal show
from Cirque du Soleil was presented in the
WAMU Theatre at Madison Square Garden
during November and December. This show
is the beginning of a real Holiday tradition
between Cirque and the city of New York.
Not to be outdone, our arena shows have
enjoyed similar success: Saltimbanco , which
closed in 2006, was revived in a revitalized
production in 2007. The transition from big
top to arena has enabled us to win new
audiences in North American cities where
we have never been able to present our
productions before.
2007 has also been a year of new markets.
While our big tops went up for the first time
in the United Arab Emirates, South Korea and
mainland China, our show DELIRIUM took
us to Scandinavia and East Europe, where
audiences had never seen us before.
Each sector of the company was mobilized
to determine what adjustments could be
made in its activities in order to be more
consistent with our desire to work for a better
world. Among other measures, at the end
of 2007 we began to integrate a new clause
dealing with social responsibility in our
partnership contracts.
Finally, in 2007, Guy Laliberté, founder of
Cirque du Soleil, has decided through the
ONE DROP Foundation to turn to the issues
of poverty alleviation by giving public voice
to the issues involved in access to water
on a global scale. This nonprofit organization
is dedicated to the fight against poverty by
providing access to safe drinking water
for everyone, everywhere on the planet, today
and tomorrow, and educating the public
to make better use of the resource.
On the eve of our 25th anniversary, in a
period of diversification of our markets
and creative output, we are more than
ever determined to ensure the proper
transmission of our culture and our values.
We want to continue to contribute to a
better world through our full business and
creative potential.
Daniel Lamarre
President and CEO
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Cirque du Soleil has always fostered a
relationship with the communities in which it operates. But we should not
forget that the true global citizenship of Cirque du Soleil is first and foremost
that of a creator and a producer of artistic content. Cirque is, and it probably
always has been, a place for creators and performers to go beyond their
wildest dreams. This has given them the opportunity to present their work
to audiences in the tens of millions around the world.
During the last two years the company has
made considerable progress, inspired by the
motto “targeted growth and a committed
Cirque.” In addition to the implementation of
new social responsibility measures, we have
above all developed approaches to further
consolidate our commitment to our values.
The commitment and citizenship choices
made by Cirque reflect a sense of the continuity
of the company and its creativity – which
can only be expressed by commitment to a
sustainable development approach.
The current unprecedented growth of Cirque
du Soleil enables us first and foremost to
reinvest more than ever in creating unique
works and to reach an even broader and
diverse public in the most inspiring performance
spaces. Our growth also poses
unprecedented challenges throughout the
organization, and citizenship is no exception,
as we are bound to encounter increasingly
diverse communities around the world, each
with its own particular socio-economic and
socio-cultural environment.
In addition to the commitments that Cirque
du Soleil, as a responsible company, has
undertaken for many years, we have also
adopted a process of social responsibility,
that affects all sectors of the business.
Through careful consideration of our business
and management practices, particularly with
regard to our relations with the communities,
the environment, the workplace and our
relationships with our partners and
suppliers, we wish to identify all situations
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where we can implement better, more
sustainable practices in order to ensure
our continuity.
Cirque creates links between people, between
artists and audience, between different professions,
between people of different cultures
and backgrounds, between troupes and
communities and so on. By fully assuming our
role as an agent for change, Cirque du Soleil
wants to play a role in supporting the creation
of social, cultural and business ties between
our various partners, all for a better world.
Gaétan Morency
Vice-Président – Global Citizenship
Some of the major awards
Cirque du Soleil received
in 2007
Monte Carlo
Guy Laliberté is triple winner of the Ernst
& Young Entrepreneur of the Year award
in Quebec, Canada and worldwide.
Los Angeles
The television show Cirque du Soleil
Presents Corteo wins an Emmy Award in
the category “Outstanding Picture Editing
for a Special” (editor: Sylvain Lebel).
Montreal
Cirque du Soleil is the recipient of the first
Prix Québécois de l’Entreprise Citoyenne
award in the “large companies” category
for the Arts Nomades pilot project.
New York
The United Nations Association of New
York gives Guy Laliberté its Humanitarian
Action Prize for his deep commitment
to the implementation of sustainable
access to water projects. This award
is presented each year to mark United
Nations Day.
This 2007 citizenship review covers the
progress made by the company during the
year in four main areas: Community Relations,
Environment, Relationships with Business
Partners and Suppliers and the Cirque du
Soleil Workplace.
To learn more, visit
www.cirquedusoleil.com/globalcitizenship.
Community Relations
Cirque du Soleil intends to position itself in the community as much more
than a simple entertainment company. We wish to be seen as a responsible
citizen and a neighbour of choice. Cirque is connected with communities
outside the borders of its business markets throughout the world. That
is why, for nearly 20 years, Cirque du Soleil has spent 1% of its turnover on
social and cultural action programmes, mainly focusing on troubled youth
and young creators. This figure, which in 2007 was in excess of $6 million,
now stands at a total of over $50 million since the inauguration of the policy.
For more information about our community relations, our approach
and programmes, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/communities.
More than 11,900 young people in difficulty participated in the Cirque du Monde programme in 2007
Canada
195
Mexico
175
USA
442
Honduras
15
Chile
213
Haiti
47
Brazil
10 000
For more information about Cirque du Monde,
visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/cirquedumonde.
Great Britain
40
Burkina Faso
176
Belgium
20
Cameroon
200
The Netherlands
40
Lebanon
15
South Africa
80
Mongolia
156
Singapore
30
Hong Kong
50
Australia
45
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North America
During the year more than 13,500 tickets were donated
to organizations working with youth in difficulty so their clients
could attend our shows.
The Cirque du Monde programme also has a strong presence in North America. During 2007
in Canada it operated in Montreal, Sherbrooke, Victoriaville, Drummondville, Quebec City and
the Attikamek native communities in Manawan and Wemotaci. In the United States, Cirque du
Monde is active in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Orlando and Las Vegas.
In September, the KOOZA team organized a workshop in Toronto, inviting youth at risk from
several parts of the city to the Cirque site. The young people were treated to a backstage tour
before being escorted on stage for a small dance class with members of the cast. They were
also treated to a hand-to-hand session, balloon-walking, acrobatic exercise and a lesson in
juggling before sharing a meal with the artists at the on-site cafeteria.
Circus workshops were also held during the visits of Corteo to Dallas, Columbus and Denver.
In addition, in Los Angeles, the team and the artists of Corteo visited our local Cirque du
Monde partner, the Los Angeles Youth Network, to attend workshops on the spot and learn
more about social circus.
More than 200 young people enjoyed backstage tours of DELIRIUM in the following 14 North
American cities: Atlanta, Birmingham, Chicago, Glendale, Kansas City, Miami, New Orleans,
Oklahoma City, Richmond, Salt Lake City, Saskatoon, Shreveport and St. Louis.
The holiday season is always an opportunity for our touring teams to do a little more for the
communities they visit. In 2007, for example, the KOOZA team made a donation of toys and
gifts for children aged 6 months to 17 years to the Firefighters Toy Program, which for many
years has distributed thousands of toys to low-income families in San Francisco.
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The Many Facets of Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil
in 2007:
• 11 cities visited by the touring shows
Corteo and KOOZA
• 55 cities visited by the arena shows
DELIRIUM and Saltimbanco
• 1 International Headquarters in Montreal
• 6 permanent shows in Las Vegas
and Orlando: Mystère , “O ”, La Nouba ,
Zumanity , KÀ and LOVE
• 1 seasonal show in New York: Wintuk
• 1 head office in Las Vegas
Benefit Dress Rehearsal
Performances:
an Enduring Tradition
The tradition of benefit dress rehearsal performances
is stronger than ever with Cirque du
Soleil permanent shows. This year, the benefit
performance of La Nouba, the show that
pioneered this custom, raised nearly $45,000.
Among the Orlando organizations that have
already benefited from funds
raised at the dress rehearsal are A Gift for
Music, the Orlando Ballet Steps programme,
the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida,
Heart of Florida United Way and Michelee
Puppets. Not to be outdone, the Las Vegas
shows Mystère, “O”, Zumanity, KÀ and
LOVE played to full houses at their benefit
performances. Tickets for dress rehearsals
are sold at reduced cost to employees
of Cirque and its partner hotels. All profits are
then paid to local community organizations.
Blues Schoolhouse Workshop:
Discovering a Musical Heritage
A group of young people from Cirque’s social action partner organizations in Las Vegas
took part in the Blues Schoolhouse Workshop experience at the renowned House of Blues.
They participated in workshops focusing on the musical, artistic, historical and cultural
impact of the blues and folk art traditions. An interactive, multidisciplinary programme,
the Blues Schoolhouse Workshop presents the visual arts as well as live music.
Our International Headquarters in Montreal:
a citizen of the neighbourhood, the city and beyond
For more information about our citizenship action in Montreal, visit:
www.cirquedusoleil.com/communitymontreal.
Cirque du Soleil employees in Montreal took part in many
community activities during the year:
• Distribution of lunch bags filled with healthy
food and clown noses to students of the
St. Noël Chabanel primary school
• Spring cleaning of the Colonie Sainte-
Jeanne d’Arc for young girls in trouble
• Crafts workshop for the children’s day
camp of Mon Resto Saint-Michel led by
a Cirque character
• Collecting school supplies and Christmas
baskets for needy families in the district
of Saint-Michel
• Installation at our International
Headquarters of a permanent donation
bin decorated by an artist from the
neighbourhood, for donations of clothing,
toys and books to benefit community
organizations in Saint-Michel
During the summer, 18 students from
secondary schools in the district of Saint-
Michel have participated in internships
at Cirque du Soleil as part of the Classes
Affaires project, which aims to provide an
enriching experience in the workplace and
to prevent truancy among Secondary III
and IV students from the Montreal boroughs
most at risk. For two weeks, they integrated
with teams working in all sectors
of our business, including
the wardrobe, public
relations, special effects
and paramedic care
departments.
The Nevada Ballet Theatre
and Cirque du Soleil
Honour Choreographers
Ten choreographers from the Nevada Ballet
Theatre and Cirque du Soleil presented
their work as part of the Choreographers’
Showcase event, a collaboration involving
dancers, acrobats, costume designers,
technicians, musicians and other artists
from the two companies. This exciting
project was presented at the end of
November in the Mystère theatre on the
Las Vegas Strip, to more than 1,200 children
at risk from schools in Clark County. A
second performance in early December
was open to the general public. By combining
their strengths, Cirque du Soleil
and the Nevada Ballet Theatre have fuelled
the common objective of promoting
the work of artists and creativity, with the
ultimate goal of reaching their communities
in a positive and constructive manner.
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Arts Nomades,
Year Two
In 2007, the Arts Nomades pilot project ended
its first year, during which time 175 four- and
five-year-old students from Bienville and
St. Mathieu schools in Saint-Michel attended
workshops in dance, visual arts and circus
presented by performing artists and teachers.
Since the fall of 2007 the project has reached
over 400 children at the preschool and
primary levels. At Bienville school 115 students
participated in preschool workshops in
dance and circus, while 135 primary school
students attended art studio sessions. At
St. Mathieu school 40 students participated in
preschool dance and circus workshops, while
200 primary students attended art studios.
Arts Nomades won an award at the first
edition of the Prix Québécois de l’Entreprise
Citoyenne in October 2007.
Support for Creation: Stronger Than Ever
During the year, nearly $170,000 was donated to support innovative art projects, emerging
artists and artistic companies in Montreal. Among the nearly 90 beneficiaries of this support
are companies and artists working in all fields, such as:
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MU:
Public Art
In 2007 Cirque du Soleil supported the
establishment of MU, a non-profit
organization whose mission is to promote
and support public art in the Montreal
metropolitan area through an artistic and
social project which consists of the execution
of murals rooted in the local community.
The seed grant offered by Cirque has allowed
MU to create two murals in Saint-Michel.
Designed by the artist Yannick Picard under
the theme of Montreal, the City of Encounters
Between Cultures, the murals adorn the
walls of the René Goupil Community Education
Centre and Habitations des Érables. Both
projects had social action impact among the
youth of the district, by inviting them
to participate in the creation of the murals.
Cirque du Soleil aims to promote the development of theatrical production. In June
2007, the company donated obsolete sound and lighting equipment, including consoles, with
a total value of nearly $50,000, to three schools in the Montreal area: Collège Lionel Groulx,
the National Circus School and the National Theatre School, and to Jeun’Est Productions, an
organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the citizenship of young adults
living with social problems.
Theatre Dance Music
Olivier Choinière Pigeons International Mutek
Le Pont Bridge Corps Indice Cinema
Visual Arts Studio 303 Benjamin Hogue
Temps d’images Stéphane G Variety
Main Films Daniel Léveillé Danse Les Filles électriques
A First:
Circus and Street Arts Camp
In March 2007, the Fondation des Auberges
du Cœur, which has been supported by Cirque
du Soleil since 2005, organized the first-ever
circus and street arts camp at the Centre
Normand Léveillé in Drummondville. Twenty-five
young people from the Auberges du Cœur
network participated in the event, with courses
offered by instructors from Cirque du Monde,
by Video Paradiso – a travelling studio offering
creative workshops and music videos by
young street people and by the dance and
percussion school Afrique en Mouvement.
Drawing on the Cirque du Monde expertise
and approach to the arts and education, this
first edition was very successful and may serve
as the model for repeating the experience
throughout the network of the Fondation des
Auberges du Cœur.
Recognition of Circus Arts
As a member of the Registry of Lobbyists
in Quebec since 2006, Cirque du Soleil
has decided to exercise its influence so
that a position may be taken to consider
circus arts as an art form in its own right
and thus qualify to receive funding from
provincial and municipal governments.
In addition, Cirque du Soleil seeks to support creativity through its Access to the Arts
programme, which buys works of art and other cultural expressions, and encourages
the performing arts and visual arts milieu by purchasing tickets for events, exhibitions and
performances. Our goal is therefore to support artists and arts companies that offer
new, surprising, avant-garde or bold creative works. As part of this programme we have
given more than $20,000 in support, through the purchase of tickets and cultural
products provided to employees of Cirque du Soleil free of charge.
Latin America
Cirque du Soleil developed its first ties with
Latin America several years ago. The earliest
tour was to Mexico in 2002, but it was not until
2006 that a Cirque show travelled to South
America. After the success of Saltimbanco
in 2007 it was the turn of Alegría to tour the
Brazilian cities of Curritiba, Brasilia and Belo
Horizonte, while Quidam returned to Mexico,
visiting Guadalajara and Mexico City and
DELIRIUM performed for a few days in the
Mexican city of Monterrey. During the year,
3,000 tickets were given to clients of
organizations working with troubled youth
in Latin America.
Latin America has a long tradition of circus
arts, and Cirque du Soleil wanted to pay
particular attention to influential members of
the Brazilian and Mexican circus communities.
Working with partners recognized for their
expertise and knowledge of the local circus
Three training courses in social
circus were held in Latin America
in 2007: 58 instructors were
trained in two sessions in Rio
de Janeiro and Recife, Brazil.
In addition, a session held
in Mexico City in partnership with
Machincuepa Circo Social
trained 18 instructors.
communities, Cirque du Soleil made it a
priority to invite these circus people to
the premieres of its shows, in recognition
of the contribution the local companies
have made to the richness of the circus
arts throughout the world.
Born in Brazil, where it is stronger than ever
with 22 members of the Rede Circo do Mondo
Brasil, Cirque du Monde is a vigorous presence
in Latin America. More than 10,000 young
people participated in the programme in 2007.
In Belo Horizonte, a group of 35 young
people took part in circus workshops and
a backstage tour of Alegría. Cirque du Soleil
has donated costumes to the Brazilian Cirque
du Monde network, through the Dreams
Can Be Foundation. There are also Cirque
du Monde activities in Santiago (Chile),
Choluteca (Honduras), in Mexico City, and
since the end of the year, in Haiti.
Haiti: a New Adventure
The end of 2007 saw the birth of a new
Cirque du Monde operation in Haiti.
Created in the very specific context
of Port-au-Prince, this venture came into
being thanks to the concerted effort
of a broad-based network of partners.
In addition to Cirque du Soleil and its
important partner Jeunesse du Monde,
the Haitian Ministry of National Education,
the Ministry of Youth and Sports
and the Municipality of Port-au-Prince all
contributed to the success of the initiative,
along with several local community
organizations including: LAKAY,
TIMKATECH, the Centre d’Appui et
d’Éducation, the Centre d’Appui Familial
and the Centre d’Éducation Populaire.
From November 12 to December 21 last
year, two social circus instructors hired
by Cirque du Soleil offered workshops to
over 45 marginalized young people from
community-based partner organizations.
The workshops culminated in a colourful
show presented in collaboration with the
Directorate of Cultural Affairs of the City
of Port-au-Prince.
Understanding Intervention in an International Context
To give extra depth to our intervention work, Cirque du Soleil brought together all the members
of the United States Cirque du Monde network in Mexico City to confront a reality very different
from their own. Guests of the Machincuepa Circo Social, 24 circus instructors and social
workers from the United States were able to familiarize themselves with the work of their Mexican
counterparts and come to an understanding of the various challenges they face in their social
circus interventions.
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Europe
Cirque du Soleil has maintained a continuous
presence in Europe for nearly 15 years. In
addition to an office in Amsterdam, opened in
1994, our shows Alegría, Varekai and DELIRIUM
visited 27 European cities in 2007, from Spain
to Finland through France, Belgium, the
Netherlands, Germany, Austria, the Czech
Republic, the United Kingdom, Switzerland,
Italy, Portugal and Hungary. More than
3,600 tickets were donated to community
organizations during this period, to enable
their clients to receive some of the magic that
we seek to convey night after night.
A Unique Experience
Unexpected Neighbours
Meeting different cultures from around
the world is an everyday occurrence
for employees of Cirque du Soleil.
In the summer of 2007, our Alegría
team experienced a special kind of
cohabitation during its stay in Paris.
Cirque wants to act as a responsible
citizen and a neighbour of choice
wherever it goes, and we had a
unique opportunity to demonstrate
that on this occasion. On arrival,
we discovered that the site was already
occupied by a community of approximately
450 Roma living in a state of extreme poverty
in four shantytown encamp-ments. Since no
administrative or judicial solutions for the
resettlement of these groups seemed feasible,
we preferred to opt for a more peaceful and
socially responsible approach: cohabitation.
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We are constantly working to strengthen
our ties with the European circus community,
which stands out as much through its
traditions as through its creativity and innovation
in contemporary circus. To promote
communication, Cirque du Soleil chose
to cover the cost of simultaneous translation
of the 5th annual symposium of the European
Circus Association.
In addition, the expertise developed by Cirque
du Soleil through the establishment of TOHU,
la Cité des Arts du Cirque, and the emergence
of Montreal as a capital of circus arts as a
By working closely with NGOs and local
authorities, Cirque took on the responsibility
of cleaning the site and providing the camps
with drinking water systems, sewage and
waste collection in order to comply with
the hygiene standards we normally observe.
The removal of 200 tons of waste and
levelling the ground helped to greatly improve
the living conditions of the Roma population.
Consistent with our approach to intervention
through the arts, we cooperated with the
Parada Foundation, a social circus group
already working with this community. Thanks
to financial support to Parada and the
involvement of an instructor from Cirque du
Monde, 60 Roma children were able to attend
circus workshops during our stay and some
40 children were thrilled to be invited to the
dress rehearsal of Alegría.
result, have borne fruit in our relations with the
European circus community. In-depth dialogue
and the sharing of knowledge were initiated
with new partners such as the Swedish
Cirkus Cirkör, Scandinavian leader in the field
of contemporary circus, as well as with
CODARTS Academy which specializes in
the performing arts in Rotterdam in the
Netherlands. The challenges and implications
of the creation of a city of circus arts, the place
of the circus at the heart of the community
and the cultural growth of cities thanks to circus
arts fuelled the most inspiring exchanges.
In December, the staff of Cirque’s European business office set aside their busy
agenda to participate in a workshop offered by Circus Elleboog, our Cirque du
Monde partner in Amsterdam. This unusual encounter enabled these young people
to demonstrate the circus arts skills they have learned since the social circus programme began
in the sensitive districts of Amsterdam North in 2006.
In addition to the workshops
Cirque du Monde organized during
the year with Circus Elleboog in the
Netherlands and the Ateliers Tête en l’Air
in La Louviere, Belgium, some special
activities were organized during the year:
A group of young people from Fundaçion
Adsis enjoyed a backstage tour of Alegría
during its visit to Barcelona, and a circus
workshop was offered as part of the
European Youth Circus Festival organized
by Circus Cabuwazi in Berlin.
A donation of circus equipment was
made to a social circus project led by
the Aim High organization for the youth of
a highly sensitive area of Warsaw. Finally,
thanks to the expertise and leadership
developed by Cirque du Soleil in social
circus, we offered teacher training to
15 instructors and speakers from
Chapitô, in Lisbon, Portugal – a project
in which cultural and educational training,
animation and social intervention are
linked by a common thread of the arts.
Africa, the Middle East and Oceania
While Dralion spent the whole of 2007 in
Japan, visiting Tokyo, Sendai, Nagoya and
Osaka, and Varekai travelled from New
Zealand to Australia, visiting Auckland,
Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne –
where Cirque du Soleil also has an office,
Quidam went out to conquer new markets in
Asia and the Middle East, visiting Dubai,
Seoul and Shanghai. More than 3,000 tickets
were given to organizations working with
youth in difficulty during the year. During
Varekai’s stay in Australia, nearly 120 young
people had the opportunity to meet artists
from Cirque, share with them and to go
behind the scenes of our show. In addition,
Cirque du Monde workshops were held in:
INSCT
Signs a Charter
The 6th annual meeting of the International
Network for Social Circus (INSCT), held at the
National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) in
Melbourne in October 2007 marked a turning
point in the development of the network.
The member organizations ratified a charter
on the mission, values and orientations
of INSCT. The charter empowers INSCT
to pursue its work towards the recognition
of social circus training and promote
its dissemination at the international level.
In addition to Cirque du Soleil, the membership
of INSCT is made up of international
cooperation agencies, professional circus
schools as well as social circus schools
from Canada (the National Circus School
and Jeunesse du Monde), South Africa (Zip
Zap Circus), Australia (NICA), Brazil (Rede
Circo do Mondo Brasil and Escola Nacional
do Circo), Burkina Faso (Jeunesse du
Monde), Chile (El Circo del Mundo) and
Colombia (Circo Para Todos).
Beirut (Lebanon)
Singapore
Hong Kong
Dornod and Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia)
Broken Hill and Melbourne (Australia)
Douala (Cameroon)
Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)
Durban and Cape Town (South Africa)
In Singapore, our local Cirque du Monde
partner, the Beyond organization, organized
an event for young people called Milk Run.
Very participatory in nature, this activity
enabled young people involved in Cirque du
Monde to present an outdoor show.
Anything is Possible: Varekai Organizes a Workshop
for Warehouse Circus
At the end of March, the Varekai team
organized a Cirque du Monde workshop for
Warehouse Circus Canberra, a local troupe
known for performances that convey a
positive image of young people, presenting
them as individuals who significantly help their
community. Warehouse Circus has set up
programmes that target the less fortunate,
including young people who live on the
margins of society, those with disabilities,
OIYP: Kaleidoscope 2007
Kaleidoscope 2007, the third triennial meeting of Oxfam International Youth Partnerships (OIYP),
an international network of young leaders, took place in October. The event brought together
300 young people from 100 countries in Sydney, Australia. An OIYP Partner since 2004, Cirque
du Soleil contributed to the cultural aspect of the event thanks to its outstanding expertise in
social art, in order to promote the importance and relevance of the arts and culture as a tool
for social change.
ICAN – a Network of Aboriginal Social Circus
In addition, three major training sessions in
social circus were held in these territories later
in the year. In Ouagadougou, 21 local
instructors were trained in collaboration with
the National Circus School of Canada. In
Cape Town, 20 instructors from various parts
of South Africa and Kenya were trained.
Finally, training held in Melbourne reached
22 instructors, including participants
from Mongolia, Singapore, Hong Kong
and Thailand.
those who have financial difficulties and those
who might one day find themselves on the
street. The troupe is known in Canberra for its
positive attitude. Its motto is “everything is
possible,” which is very similar to the theme
of Varekai. The Varekai team invited
Warehouse Circus to participate in a juggling,
trapeze, trampoline and acrobatics workshop
followed by a question and answer session
with the artists.
Earlier in the year, a one-week meeting was held in Margaret River, Australia, bringing
together a dozen participants, including young observers, speakers and aboriginal
circus artists from various parts of Australia. Led by an aboriginal facilitator as well as
representatives from Cirque du Soleil and NICA, one of our Australian partners, the
meeting will enable the creation of the Indigenous Circus Arts Network (ICAN), the first
network of aboriginal social circus.
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The Environment Air Quality and Climate Change
Since the adoption of its environmental policy in 2006, Cirque du Soleil
has continued to implement environmental management measures relating
to the management of water, air quality and climate change, as well as
waste management and hazardous materials. The International Headquarters
in Montreal expanded with the addition of a new building in the spring
of 2007, which included environmentally friendly features in its design.
Water Management
During 2007, Cirque installed a reservoir for rainwater collected from roofs and the parking lots of its International Headquarters. The reclaimed
water will supply the sanitation system of one of the headquarters buildings and the landscape irrigation system, in addition to being used
for pressure cleaning.
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More Environmentally Responsible Sanitation Systems
The installation of low-flow toilets, and infrared and low-flow faucets and urinals can
contribute greatly to the water-conservation initiatives. By equipping the new headquarters
building with more environmentally-friendly sanitation facilities and, among other measures,
the gradual replacement of toilets, urinals, faucets and floor drains in the rest
of the buildings at the head office, Cirque du Soleil has achieved savings
of 225,000 litres of water in 2007.
For more information about Cirque’s
commitment to environmental issues, visit
www.cirquedusoleil.com/environment.
An analysis of water consumption was
carried out for the KOOZA, Alegría
and Varekai tours, and a plan for water
management on tour was developed
during the year, aimed at reducing
consumption and avoiding contamination.
A closed circuit water distribution system was
developed for Alegría in South America, and
it will later be used for Varekai in Europe. In
addition, bottled water has been eliminated
on the Dralion, KOOZA
and Corteo tours.
An outside electrical and mechanical
engineering company was given the mandate
to evaluate the energy consumption of
KOOZA, identify energy-saving opportunities
and alternative energy sources to replace the
diesel generators used in the operation of
the tour. In addition, by organizing a public
awareness campaign on energy consumption,
students from the Alegría touring company
won the second prize in the Canadian
EcoKids Challenge.
Waste Management
Transportation Initiatives
We have made progress on our touring shows with regard to waste management during 2007.
In North America, a comprehensive recycling system was set up for KOOZA, while in Europe
and Latin America, visited respectively by Varekai and Alegría, recycling systems were set up
in public areas. In addition, measures to reduce waste were implemented in the cafeterias
of Dralion, KOOZA and Corteo.
On Tour: Small Actions
for the Planet
Our environmental initiatives on tour can
often reach beyond the show site. In
September 2007, students and teachers
from the Corteo school as well several
members of the touring team did their
part in the cleaning of coastal beaches in
the metropolitan area of Los Angeles
by participating in a garbage pickup day
near Marina del Rey.
In Montreal, Cirque du Soleil has set up a new programme to encourage the use of public
transportation, by paying 50% of the cost of monthly passes for its employees. 20% of
employees eligible for the programme are now enrolled. Additional bicycles were made available
to employees for travel over short distances.
Disposal and Recycling of Waste Materials
A study of waste materials was carried out at the International Headquarters of Cirque in
Montreal. The results of this study will help guide the search for solutions as well as efforts to
raise awareness among employees in terms of waste management. Here are some examples:
• The textile manufacturing workshops created more than five tonnes of waste.
A service provider processes and recycles these materials so the resulting fibres can
be integrated into new products.
• More than 90% of the 70 tonnes of paper and cardboard
generated annually at the Headquarters are recycled, which represents
an increase in the recovery rate of nearly 20% since 2003, and a reduction of over
25% of the company’s annual consumption.
• 79% of the 38 tonnes of putrescible materials generated at our
head office is composted annually, which represents an increase of over
45% compared to 2003.
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Business Partners and Suppliers
Cirque du Soleil works with a growing number of business partners and
suppliers around the world. In 2007, Cirque continued to explore issues
related to this aspect of its business strategies with a view to reconciling
the economic, social and environmental objectives of the company.
For more information about our relations with business partners and suppliers,
visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/partners.
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Business Partnerships:
a New Citizenship Clause
Continuous growth at Cirque du Soleil has led
to a proliferation of partnerships in ever
more complex socio-economic and geopolitical
contexts. In developing its commercial
activities in areas where, for example, human
rights, working conditions and
environmental issues
can be a major challenge
to Cirque’s ability to
continue to act as a
responsible citizen.
The company must adapt to constantly
changing realities. To accomplish this, since
the end of 2007, Cirque has included a new
clause regarding social responsibility in all its
partnership agreements. This clause covers
a range of social responsibility issues such as
employee relations and working conditions,
ethical sourcing, environmental protection and
social and cultural action in the community.
The purpose of this clause is first and
foremost to clarify, respectfully but firmly, the
values behind Cirque du Soleil when we
engage in serious dialogue with partners,
and to seek to create or adopt the best
practices in the industry.
Ethical Sourcing:
Pursuing a Reflection
Cirque du Soleil continued in 2007 the work of reflection on ethical sourcing, which was initiated
in 2006, by conducting a thorough review of procurement practices within the company, and
meeting many experts in the field of ethical sourcing. Several Cirque managers and groups
of purchasers attended the annual conference of BSR (Business for Social Responsibility). Held
in San Francisco in the fall, the BSR conference proved to be an excellent and interesting
opportunity for meetings with stakeholders in ethical sourcing.
Cirque continues its dialogue with its suppliers by including clauses addressing child labour
and the conditions of workers in its contracts. While Cirque does not yet have mechanisms to
monitor the implementation of these clauses, they still have the merit of stating the company’s
concerns to our suppliers and give us bargaining power in the event of non-compliance.
More Responsible Products
Several initiatives were established in 2007 to ensure that the products sold by
Cirque du Soleil are more environmentally friendly. Here are some examples:
• Replacement of plastic bags with biodegradable bags
• Making reusable bags available to customers when they make a purchase
• Introduction of products based on organic cotton and bamboo
• Introducing popcorn containers made of 100% recycled materials
• Printing new souvenir programmes
on FSC-certified
recycled paper
• Printing sales labels on
100% FSC-certified recycled paperboard
• Printing CD booklets on 100% recycled
paper, and gradual replacement of plastic
cases with 100% recycled
cardboard sleeves in North America.
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The Workplace
In 2007, Cirque du Soleil had almost 4,000 employees worldwide, including
more than 1,000 performing artists. More than 40 nationalities are
represented within the company and 25 different languages are spoken
among employees and artists.
A Company in the Image of its Employees:
Creative and Committed
As part of our policy of integrating the arts in
the lives of our employees, two major
exhibitions were held at the International
Headquarters in Montreal:
• Peuple de lumière, by the Canadian
painter of Haitian origin Clifford Jean-Félix
• Icons/Iconoclasts, by photographer
Wayne Schoenfeld, a show devoted to the
world of traditional circus inspired by the
1930s.
• In addition, more than 50 works were
acquired to enrich the Cirque du Soleil
collection of contemporary art.
Cirque du Soleil Citizenship
Rewards Programme:
For Employee Volunteers
In 2007 the Cirque du Soleil Citizenship
Rewards Programme replaced the
Cirquesters Do Their Part programme
established in 2001, through which more
than $90,000 was donated to organizations
in which particularly dedicated
Cirque people volunteered. The eligibility
requirements of the programme have been
revised to better reflect the enormous
variety of workplaces at Cirque du Soleil
and to allow beneficiaries to receive grants
at any time during the year, once our
employees submit evidence that they have
contributed the required number of hours
as volunteers.
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During the course of 2007, thanks to
PARADE, the employees’ arts assistance
programme, more than $10,000 was awarded
to support employees’ creative projects in
literature, cinema, circus, music and the visual
arts. Forty-five employees participated in the
PARADE exhibition, presented in the offices of
the International Headquarters in Montreal,
and in the lobby of the Zumanity theatre and
the Desert Springs Demonstration Gardens in
Las Vegas.
For more information, visit
www.cirquedusoleil.com/workplace.
The Talons Hauts bursary aims to promote
creativity among employees of Cirque du
Soleil, who are encouraged to submit
innovative ideas to create new elements in
one or another of fields among the company’s
activities (shows, merchandising, media,
hospitality, catering), to create or reinvent
Cirque merchandising products, and to
propose or create innovative solutions
to improve work methods and the work
environment. Nearly $30,000 in Talons Hauts
bursary prizes and special mentions were
awarded to 14 employees in 2007.
Evaluating the Contribution of Committed Cirque Employees
In 2007 Cirque du Soleil initiated a major shift in its method of assessing employees. The
redesign replaces an evaluation of job performance with an evaluation of each employee’s
contribution to the success of Cirque du Soleil as a creative business and responsible citizen.
To recognize the existing strong commitment of its employees, Cirque has chosen to include
new criteria for evaluating employees. Employees are expected to act as Cirque’s ambassadors,
showing respect for people, diversity, the environment and so on. In addition, the commitment
must also be translated into a certain savoir-faire, by looking at how employees can integrate
more responsible practices in their daily work. The objective is not to set up new programmes,
but to rethink current operations and relationships with a view to improving efficiency and
sustainability. It is first and foremost a positive reinforcement approach, enabling discussion
about commitment with employees.
Health and Safety:
Every Detail Counts
During 2007, 447 employees at the International Headquarters and the Touring Shows Division
received training connected with the risks associated with their work. Cirque du Soleil also
developed manuals on health and safety rules in the workplace, designed specifically for the
operations of touring companies as well as those of its International Headquarters.
At the same time, Cirque has been working toward a greater integration of health and safety
measures in the development and production phases of its shows, including evaluating
legislative and regulatory requirements in the new international territories where shows will be
mounted in the future. In addition, Cirque began implementing a computerized system
for the management of hazardous materials.
An Acrobatic Rigging Certification Programme in Quebec
During 2007 Cirque du Soleil joined with
Collège Lionel Groulx, a school located north
of Montreal and the National Circus School,
to develop a certification programme (AEC)
in acrobatic rigging, the first of its kind in
Quebec. Indeed, the programme will be
the first such course in rigging to be officially
recognized by the Ministry of Education,
Recreation and Sport of Quebec. The initiative
grew out of an increased need to train skilled
workers in this sector. It goes without saying
that for Cirque and other companies involved
in the world of entertainment, riggers are
essential because without them the
artists cannot appear on stage. By developing
programmes like this, it will be possible to
offer training that will be recognized throughout
the industry and contribute to growth
and continuity for years to come. This training
programme should be available as early
as 2008.
Cirque du Soleil Recognized
by the American Red Cross
In December, Cirque du Soleil was named
one of the 10 best partners of the American
Red Cross, thanks to the emergency
measures plan we established in the Resident
Shows Division. Launched in early 2007 to
meet the growing need for qualified persons
present during every performance of every
show to provide medical aid in case of
emergency, the programme was chosen in
accordance with the needs of Cirque du Soleil
and the level of training that we are able
to provide. In 2007, the programme trained
56 certified emergency responders within
the Resident Shows Division in Las Vegas,
and seven of them have received training
as instructors.
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MajorChallenges on the Horizon
For Cirque du Soleil 2008 will be a year of intense production with
the opening of three new permanent shows. The installation of two new
productions in Macau and Tokyo will be a real breakthrough for the
company in Asia. A sixth original production will also premiere in Las Vegas.
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Photos: Camirand, Hugues Dubois, Phillip Dixon,
OSA Images, Éric Piché, Norman Jean Roy,
Richard Termine, Véronique Vial
Costumes: François Barbeau, Eiko Ishioka,
Dominique Lemieux, Thierry Mugler,
Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt
© 2003-2006 Cirque du Soleil 016438
Creating these new shows and attracting
audiences will be a great adventure, day
after day, for all the performers, technicians
and craftsmen at Cirque du Soleil around
the world. Supporting growth and implementing
development strategies for tomorrow are
already daily challenges for each of the company’s
departments. 2008 will be a year of
challenge, a year of going beyond.
On the eve of our 25th anniversary, during a
period of diversifying our markets and creative
output, the company must more than ever
ensure the successful transmission of our
culture and our values. Cirque is a
merchant of happiness, but we
also want to work to build a
better world. The scope and
credibility of our achievements
will depend on the consistency
of our actions.