Montréal, September 20, 2019 – Mr. Éric Langlois, Executive Director of the National Circus School, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Estelle Clareton as Director of Creation. The move follows her successful coordination of last spring’s National Circus School (NCS) shows. She succeeds Mr. Howard Richard, who stepped down last winter after 13 years at the helm of the institution’s creative direction.
Fascinated by body languages, Ms. Clareton pursued a long career as a performer before making creative direction her way of life. By 1999, she had gravitated toward choreography and founded her own dance company, Créations Estelle Clareton. An artistic advisor at the School since 2006, her work combines virtuosity, interpretation and theatricality. She directed La Disparition, the School’s annual show in 2007, and assisted Gypsy Snider in creating the show Crimes in June 2009. In October 2009, she presented En plein corps, a Research and Creation Workshop starring six NCS graduates, at TOHU. Playfulness, clowning, acrobatic feats and juggling are aspects of the circus that inspire this choreographer and infuse her works for the stage.
In her new role, Ms. Clareton will supervise student creation activities, oversee creative projects, and continue to guide students as an artistic advisor. She also will participate in program evaluations and sit on the Entrance Examination jury and several other committees and working groups. “On behalf of everyone at the School, I welcome her aboard as we continue this great adventure,” said Mr. Langlois. “We chose Ms. Clareton for her extraordinary skills and resources, which will help her rise to the creative challenges that await her at our institution.”
A leader in circus arts education, research and innovation, the National Circus School trains worldrenowned creators, performing artists and educators who go on to shine on the world stage. It offers the complete spectrum of professional training in circus arts: preparatory training, the Circus and High School Studies program, and postsecondary programs leading to a college diploma. A pioneer of the new circus in Canada and North America, the National Circus School has contributed to the emergence of many circus companies, the most renowned of which are Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Éloize and The 7 Fingers.
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