“We don’t have all the answers yet, but I would be lying if I said I’m very worried, given the strength of the brand,” says president Stephane Lefebvre.
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The Canadian Press
Stephane Rolland
Published May 02, 2023 • 2 minute read
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MONTREAL — The head of Cirque du Soleil says artificial intelligence poses a low risk to the renowned Quebec company, even as debate is emerging about intellectual property protection for artists.
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Cirque du Soleil president says AI in entertainment world a low risk to company Back to video
“We don’t have all the answers yet, but I would be lying if I said I’m very worried, given the strength of the brand,” president Stephane Lefebvre said in an interview Tuesday.
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“There are a lot of people in the past who wanted to do things that looked like Cirque du Soleil, even without artificial intelligence,” he said. “There may be a lot of people who want to create similar circus shows, but without having the Cirque brand, the Cirque’s seal of quality, it would become more complicated for people.”
Artificial intelligence has raised hackles throughout the art and entertainment world, with AI platform users now able to create images, text and music inspired by — and sometimes nearly indistinguishable from — the pros.
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Recently, a fake duet imitating the voices of Drake and The Weeknd went viral on social media, causing a stir in the recording community.
On the sidelines of a speech delivered to the Canadian Club in Montreal, Lefebvre acknowledged he’s enjoyed experimenting with AI chatbots to tell a story or two to his kids.
He also said Cirque du Soleil would not completely close the door on the technology, but that he views it more as an administrative aid than an artistic one, pointing to potential legal pitfalls.
“We’re trying try to see how we can use artificial intelligence to help us outside of the creative sphere,” he said.
In his speech, Lefebvre discussed Cirque du Soleil’s recovery and current strategy. The 39-year-old circus troupe scrapped performances around the globe and cut nearly 3,500 employees after the COVID-19 pandemic struck, but began to add shows again in the summer of 2021.
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The Montreal-based company aims to see its brand on other platforms beyond live entertainment, including video distribution and video games, he said, teasing an announcement in the latter industry for later this month.
MGM Studios has produced a documentary about Cirque du Soleil’s return to the stage. Other video projects are in the pipeline, Lefebvre said, but he declined to offer specifics.
After the pandemic-induced shutdown, Cirque exceeded “all our expectations,” Lefebvre said in his address, which was capped by a short acrobatic performance by Cirque artists.
In late 2020, Cirque was sold to a group of its creditors led by Catalyst Capital Group after the Montreal-based outfit was forced to file for creditor protection, having racked up a debt of US$1 billion.
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The company now finds itself on more stable financial footing. In March, it managed to reduce its debt by US$100 million and to refinance it at lower rates, despite monetary tightening by central banks. Cirque du Soleil’s total debt stood at US$550 million as of last month.
Lefebvre said demand remains strong for Cirque shows, despite the ongoing economic uncertainty. He attributed the interest to an entrenched desire for spectacle in the flesh, rather than to a post-confinement pendulum swing.
“People want to live experiences, to live them and to show everyone that they have had this experience. I think it’s a strong trend and we’re not going to go back.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2023.
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FAQs
What made Cirque du Soleil's strategy successful? ›
Significantly, one of the first Cirque productions was titled “We Reinvent the Circus.” Cirque du Soleil succeeded because it realized that to win in the future, companies must stop competing in red oceans. Instead they should create blue oceans of uncontested market space and make the competition irrelevant.
How much do Cirque performers get paid? ›Average Cirque du Soleil hourly pay ranges from approximately $10.00 per hour for Community Relations Coordinator to $33.32 per hour for Rigger. The average Cirque du Soleil salary ranges from approximately $36,000 per year for Assistant Supervisor to $180,000 per year for Performer.
What is the vision statement of Cirque du Soleil? ›Going beyond its various creations, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group aims to make a positive impact on people, communities and the planet with its most important tools: creativity and art.
What are the issues facing Cirque du Soleil? ›Cirque went into the crisis of 2020 carrying US$900 million of debt, a legacy of the TPG-led leveraged buyout in 2015, based on a strategy that forecast continuing revenue of US$1 billion annually and an eventual exit through sale or initial public offering.
What weaknesses did Cirque du Soleil overcome? ›They were able use their creative storylines to draw in older audience members and used their entertaining performances to target all ages. 2.) What weakness did Cirque du Soleil overcome? Their circus was high cost meaning they had to charge a high price in order to make profit.
Who is Cirque du Soleil biggest competitor? ›Cirque du Soleil competitors include Blue Man Group, Cineplex Entertainment and AEG Live. Cirque du Soleil ranks 1st in Employee Net Promoter Score on Comparably vs its competitors.
What is the most expensive Cirque show? ›The Cirque du Soleil show called Kà opened in 2005 at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, as the most expensive theatrical production in history.
What is the average age of a Cirque du Soleil performer? ›The average age of a Cirque du Soleil™ employee is 32. The artists come from all around the world, including Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cuba, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Mexico, Mongolia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, The Netherlands, Ukraine and the U.S.A.
How much do Cirque du Soleil clowns make? ›Most performers make between $30,000 and $100,000 per year. Other Cirque employees are paid per show or hourly – it all depends on the job. Employees are offered shared accommodations at the Cirque Studios or traveling accommodations while on tour.
How much does an acrobat in Cirque du Soleil make? ›The estimated total pay for a Acrobat at Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is $85,367 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated base pay is $71,523 per year.
Who funds Cirque du Soleil? ›
Montreal – May 4, 2020 – Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group (Cirque du Soleil) announced today that it has raised $50 million in interim financing from existing shareholders TPG Capital, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), and Fosun.
Why is Cirque du Soleil expensive? ›Cirque du Soleil shows are incredibly expensive to produce.
Much of the budget was for technical feats, including a battle scene featuring acrobats on wires fighting vertically. Sadly, it was during the battle sequence that aerialist Sarah Guillot-Guyard died in 2013. It was Cirque du Soleil's first onstage fatality.
The company was taken over by a group representing the creditors, led by Toronto-based Catalyst Capital Group. Two years later, the Cirque is indeed back.
Why can't you take pictures at Cirque du Soleil? ›Yes, there will be Cirque du Soleil products available at the gift shop of the show or from our online Boutique. May I take pictures during the show? For licensing and security reasons, all photo and video cameras (with or without flash) are strictly prohibited, but no flash photography are permitted.
Who is Cirque du Soleil target audience? ›cirquedusoleil.com Audience Demographics
cirquedusoleil.com's audience is 48.82% male and 51.18% female. The largest age group of visitors are 25 - 34 year olds (Desktop).
Cirque du Soleil Benefits include Life Insurance, Dental Insurance, and Vision Insurance, along with 7 other unique benefits in categories such as Paid Time Off and Office Perks. Employees score their Perks And Benefits an average of 64/100.
Is Cirque du Soleil sustainable? ›Recycling and compost
At our International Headquarters, we have several initiatives that promote recycling and composting, including sorting stations. In addition, all of the single-use items at our cafeteria are compostable, and we have several activities that raise employee awareness.
Each Cirque du Soleil production is a synthesis of circus styles from around the world, with its own central theme and storyline. Shows employ continuous live music, with performers rather than stagehands changing the props.
What organizations are like Cirque du Soleil? ›Cirque du Soleil's competitors
Hyve Group (formerly ITE Group) is a company that specializes in the global events business. Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is the world's leading entertainment and sports agency. Live Nation Entertainment is an entertainment company specializing in live music events.
they do not pull up audience members to go on stage. those are transplants from the show, i.e. actors. the only participation will be from the clowns in the beginning before the show and they will not pull you from your seat.
What's the most expensive show in Las Vegas? ›
- O - Cirque du Soleil.
How much was Cirque du Soleil sold for? ›Article content. In 2015, Laliberté sold the Cirque du Soleil to American private equity investment firm TPG Capital, Chinese investment company Fosun and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec for a reported US$1.5 billion.
What are the best seats at Cirque? ›Categories 1 and 2 (Upper & Lower Orchestra) are the best seats in the theater as they offer a direct view of the stage. However, if you're willing to sit at a distance from the stage, the Balcony is also great for watching the show. To get the best unobstructed view, it's best not to go too low or too high.
Where do Cirque du Soleil performers sleep? ›Typically, our Big Top touring shows perform approximately 300 times a year and our arena touring shows perform 270 to 310 times a year. Lodging is provided in the form of a private room at a hotel.
What do Cirque performers eat? ›That gives the performers plenty of time to digest before running around on stage and twirling in tight outfits. If the salad bar isn't enough, there are also rotating nuts and dried fruits, two fresh soups, a juice bar with a Vitamix and fresh fruit/veggies to throw in, and a rotating dessert bar.
Is it hard to join Cirque du Soleil? ›It can take years of training to achieve the level of skills required to become a Cirque du Soleil performer. Finally, Cirque du Soleil entertainers need extensive training to bring that “wow!” factor every single night.
What is a clowns base salary? ›How much does a Clown make in the United States? The average Clown salary in the United States is $63,576 as of May 01, 2023, but the salary range typically falls between $49,541 and $78,207.
Do clowns make a lot of money? ›$41,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $48,000 is the 75th percentile.
What is the highest clown salary? ›Clown Salary. $41,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $48,000 is the 75th percentile.
Do Cirque du Soleil performers do their own makeup? ›My assistants and I teach each performer how to do their makeup: At Cirque du Soleil, all the performers learn to do their own makeup, which takes about 12 hours of practice. At first, it can take a few hours to apply, but eventually, it takes from 30 minutes to about an hour.
What questions are asked at Cirque du Soleil interview? ›
On top of the usual "Tell us about a time when XYZ", Cirque loves to ask some off the wall questions. Like "if you were a color, what would you be and why" or "if you could have dinner with any 3 people, who would it be and why". Usually, questions that you really can't prepare for.
How much do Las Vegas Acrobats make? ›| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $116,396 | $9,699 |
| 75th Percentile | $86,828 | $7,235 |
| Average | $52,756 | $4,396 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,752 | $2,229 |
Daniel Lamarre - Président and CEO - Cirque du Soleil | LinkedIn.
Who is the head of Cirque du Soleil? ›Cirque du Soleil names Stéphane Lefebvre as president and CEO | Montreal Gazette.
What caused Cirque du Soleil's profits to drop from $1 billion to $850 million from 2012 to 2013? ›However, the rising costs of new shows and the increase in the number of early flops had cut into the firm's revenues and profits.
What language does Cirque du Soleil speak? ›In Alegria you will hear a mix of Spanish, Italian, English, French but most of the time you'll hear "Cirquish" - a made-up language by Cirque du Soleil! Words don't necessarily have to make sense to understand the emotion they are trying to convey. Victória Santos and 1,021 others like this.
Is Cirque worth it? ›It is definitely worth seeing the show. It's very unique and not something you can see elsewhere in the world with it's water stage. You don't need the most expensive seats for the show. If you go for Limited View seats, as long as you don't take the ones in row O, then you actually will see just fine.
Is Cirque du Soleil VIP worth it? ›Do I Recommend the VIP Experience at Cirque du Soleil Alegria? For sure, I do. The food and drinks were good, the service was attentive, the seats were front and center, parking was close, bathrooms were exclusive, and the lines for everything were short.
Where is Cirque du Soleil 2023? ›KURIOS — Cabinet of Curiosities set to make its European Debut at the Historic Royal Albert Hall in 2023. London, UK (22nd September) — Cirque du Soleil is proud to announce the London run for one of its most critically acclaimed touring show KURIOS — Cabinet of Curiosities.
How many Cirque du Soleil shows are currently running? ›Shows by Cirque du Soleil. Not just a circus show, Cirque du Soleil provides live entertainment through more than 20 different experiences.
How long is the Cirque du Soleil show 2023? ›
The world-renowned circus company head to the Royal Albert Hall once more. Cirque du Soleil will return to the Royal Albert Hall with the European premiere of Kurios in 2023. Cirque du Soleil KURIOS - Cabinet of Curiosities runs at the Royal Albert Hall from 13 January to 12 Feb. 2023.
What went wrong at Cirque du Soleil? ›Cirque du Soleil's "The Beatles LOVE" show was cut short Sunday night after an acrobat fell during the finale. The show was stopped to tend to the fallen aerial artist, confirmed Ann Paladie, a spokesperson for the company.
What is the dress code for Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life? ›There is not a dress code for Drawn to Life by Cirque Du Soleil and we saw a wide range of clothing choices worn by audience members at the show. However, I would say that most people were in their “Sunday best” attire. Dresses, khaki pants, nicer tops.
What is the age limit for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas? ›All children between the 5 and 17 years of age must be accompanied by an adult and must have their own ticket. Lap sitting is not permitted. Is there a pre-show? KÀ offers two different pre-show experiences: one 15 minutes prior to each show in the KÀ lobby and another in the theater at 5 minutes to showtime.
What do Cirque performers get paid? ›Average Cirque du Soleil hourly pay ranges from approximately $10.00 per hour for Community Relations Coordinator to $33.32 per hour for Rigger. The average Cirque du Soleil salary ranges from approximately $36,000 per year for Assistant Supervisor to $180,000 per year for Performer.
What are the achievements of Cirque du Soleil? ›In 2000, Cirque du Soleil was awarded the National Arts Centre Award, a companion award of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards, and in 2002 was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.
Which strategy do they assign to Cirque du Soleil? ›The ideology of Cirque Du Soleil was purely based on blue ocean strategy since it only focused on value innovation by feeding its audience according to their best interests. The Cirque did not include significant names and high-cost performers.
What is Cirque du Soleil competitive advantage? ›Based on Porter's generic strategies, competitive advantages of Cirque were differentiation and cost leadership simultaneously, which is rare. Unique resources and capabilities allowed the business to achieve this rare competitive advantage.
What is Cirque's Product & strategy? ›Cirque du Soleil's strategy is to evoke the imagination, invoke the senses and provoke the emotions of people. It does this by putting together solid and powerful performances, in combination with creative scenarios, precise illumination and magnificent costumes.
What is the most expensive Cirque du Soleil show? ›The Cirque du Soleil show called Kà opened in 2005 at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, as the most expensive theatrical production in history.
What is the average age of Cirque du Soleil performers? ›
The average age of a Cirque du Soleil™ employee is 32. The artists come from all around the world, including Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cuba, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Mexico, Mongolia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, The Netherlands, Ukraine and the U.S.A.
Is Cirque du Soleil a disruptive innovation? ›But, there's another kind of disruptive innovation – the kind of disruptive innovation that Renée Mauborgne talks about in the opening pages of his seminal book, Blue Ocean Strategy. He refers to “Le Cirque du Soleil” as a novel combination of theater and circus.
How hard is it to get into Cirque? ›The audition process is rigorous, as is the training period and rehearsals that go into every show. Audience expectations are high, so the workload that goes into creating a show that lives up to the Cirque du Soleil name night after night is also high.
How much do circus performers make Cirque du Soleil? ›Average Total Cash Compensation
The base salary for Performers in companies like Cirque Du Soleil Inc range from $50,297 to $74,521 with the average base salary of $61,035.
Based on the factors mentioned above, Cirque du Soleil's value proposition is “Cirque du Soleil offers an unparalleled show combining plays, music, and dance in an ideal environment to create an illusion of fascination for our visitors and create a memorable experience of the show offered.”
What is one thing that distinguishes the Cirque du Soleil from a traditional circus? ›Unparalleled Backdrops
More movie surrealism and less big top helped distinguish Cirque's shows from its circus roots. Lavish scenery and lighting effects are what it's known for and anything less would disappoint the crowds that have come to know its shows for their dreamlike qualities.
Guy Laliberté, OC CQ (born 2 September 1959) is a Canadian billionaire businessman, and poker player. Along with Gilles Ste-Croix, he is the co-founder of Cirque du Soleil. In January 2018, Laliberté was ranked by Forbes as the 11th wealthiest Canadian. In 1984, Laliberté founded Cirque du Soleil.
How many employees does Cirque du Soleil have? ›CIRQUE DU SOLEIL AT A GLANCE
The company has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 artists from more than 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 180 million spectators in more than 400 cities in over sixty countries on six continents.
This diversification will create value for the company helping it to gain its competitive edge as well as address the risk of the changing immigration policies. The risk of isolationism would have negatively affected the company, its competitive advantage as well as thrive.