Théâtre Motus

What Théâtre Motus does

Théâtre Motus Inc. (DBA: Motus, Marionnettes & Théâtre) is a nonprofit puppet and theatre company headquartered at 1494 Chemin Chambly, Longueuil, Québec, that creates and tours live theatrical productions primarily for children and young audiences. Its current repertoire spans six touring productions: Parole d'eau (international coproduction with Djarama/Senegal on water themes), Arbre, tout un monde (designed for autistic children and those with intellectual disabilities), Arbre 0-3 ans (an adaptation for toddlers), Baobab (a coproduction with Sô/Mali rooted in African griot traditions), Le Sanctuaire des âmes ordinaires (a philosophical production for audiences 12+), and cOsmo (a 2024 international coproduction with Nubila Teatro/Mexico). The core technology is a multi-sensory live performance methodology combining puppetry, shadow theater, live music, and interactive elements, with the ARBRE line featuring a 1:1 artist-to-child ratio and adaptive sensory environments, supported by a dedicated family preparation website (arbre-motus.com).

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit arts model: ticket and touring fees from live performances at international venues, festivals, schools, and cultural institutions, complemented by grants from multiple public and private funders (Canada Council for the Arts, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Conseil des Arts de Longueuil, CITF, Fondation Cole, Ville de Longueuil, Ministère de la Culture et des communications du Québec), and ancillary mediation workshops. Go-to-market is event-driven, distributing across at least seven countries (France, Switzerland, Côte d'Ivoire, Italy, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico) via direct bookings with venues and residency partners such as Maison de la culture Janine-Sutto and Théâtre de la Ville, with an in-house venue (Le 220) and organic marketing through Instagram, Facebook, Vimeo, and a Mailchimp newsletter. The company is led by founder and artistic director Hélène Ducharme and co-director Mathilde Addy-Laird, with no disclosed external investors, parent company, or acquisition activity.

Name

Théâtre Motus

Legal name

Théâtre Motus Inc.

Website

https://theatremotus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Théâtre Motus is a Longueuil, Quebec-based nonprofit puppet and theatre company that creates and tours multi-sensory live productions for children and young audiences, including specialized inclusive performances for autistic children and international coproductions touring across Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Theater / Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Puppetry & Marionette Theatre (MPAGABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Touring Theatre Productions (MPAGABAC), Children’s & Youth Theatre (MPAGABAE), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Puppet theater performances
• Children's theater productions
• Inclusive sensory theater
• International touring theater
• Multi-sensory live performance

Headquarters

HQ city

Longueuil

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Live theater performances and touring: The company generates revenue through ticket sales from live theater performances, international touring fees paid by venues and festivals, and residency and coproduction arrangements with cultural institutions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Théâtre Motus creates, produces, and internationally tours original puppet theater and multi-sensory theatrical performances for young audiences (ages 0 to teens), including inclusive productions designed for autistic and neurodivergent children. The company generates revenue through ticket sales, venue booking fees, and international touring arrangements, supplemented by arts council grants and mediation workshops.

Product overview

Théâtre Motus is a Canadian puppet theater company (based in Longueuil, Québec) that creates and tours theatrical productions primarily for young audiences. Its core offering consists of live puppet and theatrical performances — including 'Parole d'eau' (international coproduction on water themes), 'Baobab' (African fable), 'Arbre, tout un monde' (designed for autistic and intellectually disabled children), 'Arbre 0-3 ans' (adaptation for toddlers), 'Le Sanctuaire des âmes ordinaires' (for teens 12+), and 'cOsmo' (new international coproduction). Productions are designed for touring across Canada and internationally. The company also offers supplementary mediation workshops and a companion preparation website (arbre-motus.com) for its accessibility-focused productions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Parole d'eau Theatrical coproduction with Djarama (Senegal) involving artists from three countries on two continents, exploring water scarcity and abundance through the stories of two friends in Senegal and Canada. Features traditional songs, live music, puppets, and water-inspired stage aesthetics using fabrics instead of real water. Currently on an almost-worldwide tour across France, Switzerland, Côte d'Ivoire, Italy, Germany, Hong Kong, and Mexico.
• Arbre, tout un monde Theater production designed specifically for autistic children and adapted for children with intellectual disabilities and/or reduced mobility. Features a multi-sensory, fully interactive environment with soft lighting, music, silence, and five characters. Performed in an intimate setting with a one-artist-to-one-child ratio. Includes a comprehensive companion preparation website for families.
• Arbre (0-3 ans) Adaptation of Arbre tout un monde specifically for children aged 0 to 3. Features a mother bird nesting luminous eggs, with the tree world opening to reveal insects, animals, soft or rhythmic music, and a moon rising to lull young audiences. Multi-sensory and fully interactive, wrapped in soft lighting, music, and silence.
• Baobab

Quantifiable outcome

• Baobab won the 2014 award for best tour in Canada and the United States
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Nubila Teatro (Mexico)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021International coproduction between Motus and Nubila Teatro of Mexico, with co-creation and co-direction by Haydeé Boetto and Hélène Ducharme. The collaboration began in 2021 and resulted in the 'Cosmo' production unveiled in August 2024.
• Djarama (Sénégal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoproduction partnership with Djarama, led by Mamby Mawine, for the production 'Parole d'eau'. Djarama has been supported three times by the CITF (Commission Internationale de Théâtre Francophone) for various productions including AVANTI! (2005), Moi, Monsieur, moi! (2011), and Petit Bout de Bois... (2018).
• Sô (Mali)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoproduction with Sô troupe from Mali for the 'Baobab' production, involving artistic collaboration across African and Canadian artists with support from Hamadoun Kassogué (Mali) and Ismaïla Manga (Sénégal).
• Maison de la culture Janine-SuttosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResidency partner for creative development of productions including ARBRE.
• Théâtre de la VillesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResidency partner providing venue and support for productions including Baobab and Cosmo.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Theater Artemis: Dutch children's theater producing original work for young audiences with strong visual and musical staging. Comparable as a specialist children's touring theater with similar artistic priorities to Théâtre Motus.
• TJP Centre Dramatique National d'Alsace: French national children's theater based in Strasbourg producing and touring work for young audiences. Comparable in mission (dedicated children's theater) and scope (continuous production slate plus touring).
• Théâtre de la Pire Espèce: Quebec-based object and puppet theater company creating touring productions for young audiences. Comparable as a Montreal/Quebec-based puppet theater with similar touring business model and age-segment focus.
• Compagnie Belova-Iacobelli: France-based puppet theater company known for visually driven productions combining puppetry, movement, and object theater. Comparable in form (puppetry-led touring productions) and scale to Théâtre Motus's slate.
• Polka Theatre: London-based children's theater producing and touring work for young audiences. Comparable as a dedicated children's theater company with a continuous production slate and touring focus, though larger and venue-based.
• Compagnie Marizibill: French puppet/object theater company producing touring shows that blend puppetry, music, and visual storytelling for mixed family audiences. Directly comparable as a touring puppet troupe with comparable scale and aesthetic approach to Théâtre Motus.
• Compagnie du Théâtre de Cuisine: French puppet/object theater company producing original touring shows blending puppetry, shadow theater, and music. Comparable in form (object/puppet-led touring) and aesthetic to Motus productions like Baobab and Parole d'eau.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/theatremotus
• Facebookfacebook.com/THEATREMOTUS
• Instagraminstagram.com/theatremotus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Théâtre Motus