It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Claire Ranger, a remarkable person who had a profound impact on Montréal Danse.
When she arrived, Montréal Danse was facing a significant deficit. Known for her ability to turn companies around, Claire restored our financial health in two years, beating the targets of our recovery plan by a year.
Behind her small stature, Claire possessed immense generosity of spirit and a remarkable ability to bring her ideas to life. Her career as a puppeteer and co-founder of Théâtre Sans Fil instilled in her a deep appreciation for all forms of artistic and theatrical expression. Above all, Claire was known for her unwavering loyalty to people, organizations, and friends.
Our artistic director wanted to pay him a final tribute:
Claire has been with the company for 14 years, joining the team in my fifth year as artistic director. As administrative director, she has played an essential role in managing the company alongside me.
She has been a true mentor, guiding me in all aspects of leadership: strategy, budgeting, planning, grant writing, and promoting partnerships. She has profoundly transformed my approach to preparation, encouraging me to reflect, rewrite, and refine, transforming me from a last-minute planner to a long-term strategist.
Claire was not only an exceptional colleague, but also someone I could always count on. I was saddened by her retirement, and my heart broke when I heard of her recent passing. Montreal Dance and I were incredibly fortunate to have shared such a long period of life and work with her. Her legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire us.
Kathy Casey