André Lachance: Building Confidence and Performance
This episode of the StageLync Podcast features André Lachance, Senior Director of Casting and Human Performance at Cirque du Soleil. Known for his expertise in leadership dynamics, team cohesion, and high-performance coaching, André brings insights from his sports background to the performing arts world. Host Anna Robb dives into his journey from sports coaching to overseeing talent and human performance at Cirque. Check out this preview, and don’t miss the full episode next week!
How did André Lachance transition from sports to performing arts and Cirque du Soleil?
André began his career as a high-performance sports coach, notably leading Canada’s national women’s baseball team to the top of the world rankings. After years in the sports sector, he felt the need for a change and joined Cirque du Soleil in 2022. The opportunity came when Cirque was looking for someone to integrate support systems around performers, including coaches, therapists, and conditioning experts. His role evolved from managing these teams to overseeing casting and human performance, combining his skills in leadership and athlete management with Cirque’s creative environment.
What are the key differences between sports coaching and performance coaching at Cirque du Soleil?
According to André, both fields require peak performance, but the primary difference lies in timing. In sports, athletes train for a specific event, like the Olympics, where they must be at their best on a particular day. In contrast, Cirque performers must deliver consistently high performances every day. Another major difference is the focus: in sports, the key components are technical, tactical, physical, and mental. In performing arts, the tactical aspect is replaced by the artistic element, which requires a different coaching approach to build presence and creativity while maintaining physical excellence.
How does André foster team cohesion and leadership in diverse environments?
André emphasizes the importance of adaptability in leadership. He compares team development to life stages: initial bonding, occasional conflict (like teenage rebellion), setting norms, and achieving mature performance. As a leader, he believes in setting up an environment that fosters autonomy, stepping back to allow team members to thrive. He calls this approach “set up and shut up”—creating the conditions for success without over-coaching. His focus is on building a foundation of trust and guiding principles that help teams navigate challenges and grow collectively.
How does André approach the casting process at Cirque du Soleil?
Casting at Cirque goes beyond evaluating acrobatic or technical abilities. André believes in assessing the whole person, including their adaptability, coachability, and ability to thrive in a collaborative environment. To build long-term talent, Cirque has developed the NextGen program, where young artists train intensively at Cirque’s headquarters in Montreal, focusing not just on technical skills but also on artistic development and resilience. André highlights the importance of building confidence through consistent support, allowing performers to experiment and fail safely during their training.
What role does confidence play in performance, and how does André build it?
Confidence, according to André, is one of the three pillars of high performance, alongside competence and motivation. He believes that creating a psychologically safe environment is essential for building confidence. Leaders and coaches need to be mindful of their actions and words, as even passive presence during training can significantly impact a performer’s self-assurance. At Cirque, they emphasize positive reinforcement and encourage experimentation to help artists build durable confidence, enabling them to handle challenges and perform consistently.
Key Insights from the Podcast
- Sports to Performing Arts Transition
André Lachance transitioned from being a high-performance sports coach to Senior Director of Casting and Human Performance at Cirque du Soleil. His expertise in leadership, team dynamics, and peak performance management translated well from sports to the performing arts, where consistency in daily performance is crucial. - Adapting Leadership for Diverse Teams
André highlights the importance of adaptive leadership, comparing team development to life stages. He believes in creating an environment that fosters autonomy, guiding teams without over-managing, and allowing them to build resilience and self-reliance. - Building Confidence as a Core Element
Confidence is essential for both athletes and artists, according to André. He emphasizes that leaders must create a psychologically safe space for experimentation and learning, as confidence can be easily damaged by thoughtless actions or comments. - Casting Beyond Physical Skills
At Cirque, casting involves more than just assessing acrobatic ability. André believes in evaluating the whole person, including adaptability and collaborative spirit, to ensure long-term success within the troupe. The NextGen program supports this by developing versatile and confident performers. - Versatility and Psychological Safety
André sees versatility as a key trait for Cirque performers. Developing multi-skilled artists requires an environment where they feel safe to fail and grow. This approach nurtures confidence and prepares artists for the unpredictable nature of live performance.
Main Image: Courtesy of Cirque du Soleil/Mathew Tsang
Editor's Note: At StageLync, an international platform for the performing arts, we celebrate the diversity of our writers' backgrounds. We recognize and support their choice to use either American or British English in their articles, respecting their individual preferences and origins. This policy allows us to embrace a wide range of linguistic expressions, enriching our content and reflecting the global nature of our community.
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