Luc Lafortune

Luc Lafortune

 Luc Lafortune, artist, lighting designer. (b at Montréal 9 Sept 1958 -) Drawn to the performing arts, Luc Lafortune studied at Dawson College and McGill University earning his Bachelor of Arts degree, and then at Concordia University in the theatre option. While familiarizing himself with stage design, Luc Lafortune discovered and himself declared that lighting could modify the appearance of places and thus affect stage settings and viewers' perceptions. Therefore, he focussed on light and in 1984 became the CIRQUE DU SOLEIL's lighting technician. His first tour with them, Le Grand Tour, for the 450th celebration of Jacques Cartier's discovery of Canada, lasted 3 months.

Luc Lafortune directed his first production in 1986, followed by several others that until 2009 have included Le Cirque réinventé, Fascination, Nouvelle Expérience, Saltimbanco, Mystère, Alegria, Quidam, "O", La Nouba, Dralion, Zumanity and Ka. He also worked as co-director of photography for the video recording for the show Quidam (1999).

Several world-renowned artists have called on Luc Lafortune's tremendous artistic talent over the past twenty years. A multi-talented conceptual artist, both in design and technique, he made light and lighting design a unifying artistic complement indispensable to the staging of a production. Luc Lafortune has collaborated very successfully with Robert LEPAGE, No Doubts, The Eagles, Gipsy Kings, and The Dixie Chicks, and he did the lighting design for singer Peter Gabriel's world tour Growing Up.

Throughout his remarkable and prolific career, Luc Lafortune has won numerous prizes including the Drama Logue Award for lighting design for Cirque du Soleil's Saltimbanco (1992), and Lighting Dimensions International Lighting Designer of the Year (Las Vegas, 1994). Despite his youthful 35 years, Lafortune is the youngest recipient to repeatedly receive this prize. He won Best Light Show of the Year for Martin's Atomic Lounge (1997); the Entertainment Design Award for production lighting design (1998); the THEA Award (Themed Entertainment Association) both in New York for Cirque du Soleil's "O"; and the United States Institute of Theatre Technology Distinguished Lighting Designer (2005).

Luc Lafortune is an internationally sought after speaker who has faith in his educational mission and enthusiastically shares his knowledge and experience with both youth and professionals.