Historic Leap for Québec Circus: SCUSE Wins First-Ever Best Circus Piece Award

Earlier this July, the Québec circus community reached a major milestone: for the first time in history, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) and En Piste presented an award for Best Circus Piece of the Year. This moment marks a powerful recognition of circus arts as a vital and mature artistic discipline—one that now stands alongside theatre, dance, and music in the eyes of Québec’s cultural institutions.

The inaugural award was presented at TOHU, the beating heart of contemporary circus in Montréal, where a wave of emotion swept over co-creators Frédérique Cournoyer Lessard and Laurie-Anne Langis as their show SCUSE was announced the winner.

“Beyond the relief of knowing our four years of work had been worth it, it felt like a sign: things are shifting,” shared the artists. “Québec is ready for a new kind of circus—one that prioritizes human connection over technical spectacle, and creates space for genuine, shared experiences.”

SCUSE is a solo aerial hoop performance that weaves together documentary circus, personal testimony, dance, theater, and video art. At the heart of the piece lies a deeply personal narrative exploring gender, identity, and the tumultuous journey from adolescence to adulthood. With a bold blend of vulnerability and virtuosity, SCUSE invites the audience into an intimate, transformative experience.

According to the CALQ jury, the piece stood out for its “contemporary, direct, and accessible form of writing, making the show both intimate and universal.” The work was also praised for its artistic innovation and technical mastery—particularly its unique use of the aerial hoop and its compelling dramaturgical structure.

“SCUSE makes a significant contribution to the development of the discipline,” noted CALQ. “It’s a strong example of how circus can intersect with documentary art and social reflection.”

The recognition of SCUSE as Québec’s first-ever Best Circus Piece of the Year is more than a win for one show—it’s a watershed moment for the entire field. It signals an evolution in how circus is perceived: not just as entertainment, but as a sophisticated art form capable of expressing complex ideas and emotional truths.

At its core, this award represents a broader cultural shift—toward embracing new voices, new formats, and a new generation of artists who are reshaping the circus arts with authenticity, courage, and creativity.

Congratulations to Frédérique Cournoyer Lessard, Laurie-Anne Langis, and the entire team behind SCUSE.