CLARENCE FORD 

Executive Director and Founder of Square Circle

 

Based in Toronto, Clarence Ford is the founder of and driving force behind Square Circle, a non-profit organization that offers an innovative of engaging, educating and empowering youth in the city’s underserved communities.

 

He’s also recognized as a highly sought-after director, choreographer, producer, teacher and social entrepreneur who has worked with Cirque du Soleil, global celebrities, sports franchises and Fortune 500 brands on live shows, TV productions, films and commercials. 

 

Whether it be on stage, screen, ice or water, Clarence has a keen sense of dynamic entertainment that engages audiences. His body of work is impressive. He’s played a key role in concerts for the late James Brown, Alanis Morissette, Arrested Development, Del La Soul and Canadian pop stars Sugar Jones. He’s also worked on major corporate and not-for-profit events, featuring renowned talents such as Lenny Kravitz, David Foster, Stevie Wonder,  Wyclef Jean, Avril Lavigne, Sarah McLachlan, John Mayer and the Barenaked Ladies. 

 

In addition to Cirque du Soleil, Clarence counts Adidas, Pepsi, Reebok and Robbie Williams, among his long-standing clients. Other current and past clients include: The Clinton Foundation, Canadian Olympic Committee (Samsung’s 2010 Olympic Gala Show), CBC, DreamWorks, Ford Motor Company, Imperial Tobacco (Definiti Canadian Tour), Labatt, Miramax, UNICEF (Against AIDS Concert), Universal, the Toronto Raptors, the CFL (Grey Cup) and the Art Gallery of Ontario (Dreaming with Open Eyes). 

 

Clarence’s credits range from choreographing award-winning, international performers to bringing pop culture to synchronized swimming and skating, through stars like Kurt Browning and world champion Yuna-Kim. His ‘In the Groove’ film about Kurt Browning inspired the Athletes in Motion CTV series of short films, commissioned for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and its Victory Ceremony. He was subsequently the artistic director for the award-winning series and directed three of its films, which were broadcast and seen online worldwide.

 

With his unique vision, Clarence choreographed Cirque du Soleil’s acclaimed touring circus production. Toronto’s Luminato Festival commissioned him to create On The One, a funk music festival, one of its most successful events to date. 

 

Clarence was part of TO2015’s Arts and Culture Advisory Council and helped develop the vision and strategic direction of various Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games festivals. He created and directed opening productions for David Foster’s star-studded gala fundraiser in 2013 and is collaborating with him on future events.

 

Some of Clarence’s other noteworthy projects include: creative direction/choreography of So You Think You Can Dance; Stars on Ice; and Canada’s top entertainment award shows (Junos, Genies and Geminis). He’s also created fashion shows for Greta Constantine, Fashion Television, Reebok and England’s George Clothing Line. 

On screen, Clarence choreographed Robbie William’s top-rated music video, Radio. 

He’s worked on film productions around the world, including The Tuxedo (Jackie Chan/ Jennifer Love Hewitt); Billy Madison (Adam Sandler); How To Deal (Mandy Moore); Gossip (Kate Hudson); Undercover Brother; (Eddie Griffin/Billy Dee Williams); Ladies Man (Will Farrell); and The Smurfs 2.

 

Clarence’s talent figures prominently in more than 80 TV commercials, including spots for American Express, Pepsi, Advil, Reebok, Kodak, Coke, Tylenol and Budweiser.

 

Born in Toronto, he began his career on stage as a performer on Soul Express, a musical group that toured nationally and landed its own TV special. He later made a seamless transition from being one of Canada’s top performers to one of its most respected choreographers and creative producers. 

 

Today, Clarence leads Square Circle, one of Toronto’s first inner city social circus programs, which he founded in 2014. It’s part of the global social circus movement that drives social change in communities by helping underserved youth realize their creative potential and learn valuable life skills. 

 

In addition, he currently sits on the boards of Artscape, Humber College Event Management and POV.

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