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The Association des collèges privés du Québec (ACPQ) awarded its prestigious 2026 Innovation Award to the National Circus School on June 4 in Drummondville. This distinction highlights the excellence and originality of the project entitled “Rig’Humaine: Technical Innovation and Collective Creation in Aerial Disciplines,” an initiative brilliantly led by Véronique Thibeault, a teacher in aerial disciplines.
From Technical Constraint to Creative Innovation The story of “Rig’Humaine” is one of a constraint transformed into an opportunity. At the origin of the project, a student was experiencing significant discomfort related to the practice of his complementary discipline, hair suspension. Faced with this challenge, an in-depth reflection was undertaken in close collaboration with the rigging team. Together, they explored new ways to support the suspension and adapted existing techniques, thus giving rise to a significant innovation.
This collective approach made it possible to design an original act carried by a trio of performers—two women and one man—all specializing in aerial hoop. Their performance stands out for a remarkable complementarity combining strength, flexibility, audacity, and creativity. It is precisely this exceptional work of collaboration and involvement between the teacher, the students, and the rigging team that particularly won over the ACPQ jury.
International Influence The success of this technical innovation was not limited to Quebec. In January 2026, “Rig’Humaine” was selected to participate in the prestigious Festival mondial du Cirque de demain, presented in Paris. This participation represents a major recognition in the circus world. During this major event, our students shone by winning the silver medal as well as several distinctions, including an award specifically highlighting the technical innovation of their act.
Pushing the Boundaries of the Possible The Innovation Award presented by the ACPQ takes the form of a sculpture created by Quebec artist Denis Gagnon. As the artist points out in his vision of the artwork: “Circus art is an art of body, mind, and balance. It is the meeting between strength and fragility. Its practice pushes the boundaries of what we thought could be established as the limits of the possible”.
The National Circus School warmly congratulates Véronique Thibeault, the student performers, and the rigging team for this exceptional achievement that perfectly illustrates the spirit of innovation that drives our institution.
