Montreal, July 5, 2026 – The Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM) and En Piste, the national circus arts association, are delighted to award the third Propulsion Award to La Croustade for La Soirée de la Confiture – Édition Suc’ à Crème Deluxe, under the artistic direction of Vincent Jutras. Accompanied by a $10,000 cash prize, the award was presented by Nathalie Maillé, Executive Director of the CAM, on July 5 at En Piste’s 5@Cirque event, a part of MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE.
The jury members praised “the refreshing approach of an innovative, diverse and inclusive artistic offering that puts spontaneity, improvisation and vulnerability front and centre in a safe, respectful and supportive environment.” This bold initiative was also described as “vibrant, joyful, immersive and dazzling, with the ability to rally the circus community and create new synergies.”
Nathalie Maillé, Executive Director, CAM
“With the Propulsion Award in circus arts, the Conseil des arts de Montréal is pleased to recognize avant-garde approaches that actively contribute to Montreal’s artistic vibrancy. With La Soirée de la Confiture – Édition Suc’ à Crème Deluxe, La Croustade brilliantly combines its bold vision with the ability to bring people together: it’s an inventive, unconventional production that opens up new frontiers for the circus and strengthens bonds within the community. A big thank-you also goes to En Piste, a valued partner in this celebration of circus creativity.”
La Soirée de la Confiture – Édition Suc’ à Crème de Luxe
Created in 2023, the Soirée de la Confiture was later adapted for the Festival Drôle d’oiseau. The Édition Suc’ à Crème Deluxe, first performed on October 11, 2025, took place in the spacious creation centre of La compagnie des autres, which allowed La Croustade to broaden the show’s scope and invite audiences to move about. The event was divided into four segments, each consisting of improvised performances in different spaces of the former Saint-Enfant-Jésus Church in Pointe-aux-Trembles, refitted for the occasion. Audiences were treated to contortionists navigating their way through trestles, clowns searching for hidden objects guided by audience applause, handbalancing acrobats challenging and assisting one another through physical feats, and jugglers putting their performances in a friendly competition to a public vote. Three well-known figures from the community also got to reward their favourites by handing out bread and jam to the artists throughout the evening.
La Soirée de la Confiture – Édition Suc’ à Crème Deluxe was a highlight of the 2025 Montreal circus calendar. Its originality lies in spontaneous creation in an ambience of joyful whimsy, as well as in the dedication of Eline Guélat and Vincent Jutras to a form of circus arts that values exploration, playfulness, physical and artistic risk-taking, uninhibited human connections, intense training and the drive to excel. In addition to MC Croustille (Vincent Jutras) and his sidekick Marmelade (Eline Guélat), La Soirée de la Confiture – Édition Suc’ à Crème Deluxe featured 22 acrobats from every discipline and walk of life along with members of the circus community, both in its organization and as members of the audience. The unique works created during the event are the result of a novel approach where talent and collaboration join forces to enrich the circus arts. La Soirée makes the most of its festive and colourful atmosphere to provide a creative playground greatly appreciated by the artists.
La Croustade
Adroitly combining incredible skill with a laid-back style and a touch of whimsy, La Croustade’s first show was titled L’après-midi tombe quand tes biscuits se ruinent. It featured the founding duo in a playful circus world that interwove acro-dance, contortion, skateboarding and comedy. Performed at cultural centres across Montréal, the piece was also presented at the UP Festival in Brussels and other venues. In addition to Les Soirées de la Confiture, this contemporary circus company founded in 2018 has brought audiences the web series Pouding Chômeur and such shows as Beigne, Psyché et Grenadine. La Croustade’s most recent creation, La Bagatelle du roi des miettes, is playing during MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE, from July 8 to 11. Vincent Jutras is also directing Clafoutis by Cirque de la Pointe-Sèche, which runs from July 2 to August 29 in Saint-Germain-de-Kamouraska.
The Propulsion Award
Created to promote the circus arts and recognize contributions supporting their development, the Propulsion Award honours an individual, collective or organization that enriches the circus arts. The award was born of a partnership between CAM and En Piste created in 2024, when it was won by the company Acting for Climate Montréal. Last year, La compagnie des autres was named the winner. Along with the visibility and recognition that go to the recipients, the Propulsion Award generates significant benefits for the winning project and inspires emulation from other members of the circus arts community.
The jury, composed of five members of the circus community, selected four finalists from among the many worthy projects submitted. This year’s other finalists are the works of David Ayotte, co-creator of the “Auteur de cirque” program with the National Circus School and National Theatre School of Canada; Our Lady of the Home / Notre-Dame du Foyer by Alyssa Bunce; and Julien Desforges, an artist-creator who combines hair-suspension acts with slackline.
The four finalist projects represent a cross-section of the many forms of contemporary circus in Montréal. They meet the Propulsion Award’s eligibility requirements with original artistic offerings, innovative, equitable and inclusive practices, and a reach that extends across Montréal and beyond.
The Propulsion Award and CALQ award for best circus production were presented at En Piste’s 5@Cirque event on July 5, 2026, during the MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE festival. Nathalie Maillé, Executive Director of the CAM, presented the Propulsion Award, while Honorine Youmbissi, CALQ’s Director of Support for Artists, Communities and Regional Initiatives, presented the CALQ award for best circus production—along with a $15,000 grant—to Cirque de la Pointe-Sèche for its show Sortilège.
