Mission and History

MISSION
 
L’Aubergine’s mission is to create and widely present professional clowning shows of all types and to all audiences while focusing on innovation, quality and refinement. We aim to give clowning credibility by developing a dramaturgy based on the search for authentic and modern characters.
 
 
HISTORY
 
Founded in 1974 by Lina Vachon, Josette Déchène and the late Paul Vachon, L’Aubergine is one of the oldest Canadian companies and the oldest in the Quebec City region to produce shows for young people and family audiences. It has carved out its own special niche by nurturing a unique artistic vision that combines clown performances, the circus arts, music and movement, and theatrical techniques.
 
Since its inception, the company has created more than sixty shows, as well as various productions for major events. Its markets have developed cyclically, in line with the success of its shows, leaving a lasting impression on hundreds of thousands of spectators, both young and old, from Quebec, Canada, the United States, France, Spain and Mexico. L’Aubergine has succeeded in establishing its presence in the local and international artistic landscape.
 
From 1974 to 2011, Paul Vachon served as the company’s general and artistic director. The year 2013 saw the arrival of a new artistic director, Christine Rossignol, who shared the founders’ passion for clown characters and the organization’s vision. Since September 2014, Emilie Vachon has served as the general director of the Aubergine family. Her lifelong involvement with L’Aubergine has instilled in her the values of its founders.

After 5 years as artistic director, Christine Rossignol decided, in the fall of 2018, to give up her place and it was Veronika Makdissi-Warren who joined the L'Aubergine team in this role.