"Everything in life has a common thread," enthusiastically states Julie Caron. This former human resource professional's destiny is nevertheless unexpected; manager of business relations at Adecco six years ago, today she has a promising comedy career and has just launched her first one-woman show. A colourful figure, she shares with us how her dream became reality.
From a very young age, Julie Caron was fascinated with humour and the stage. She chose another path however, did a bachelor's degree in vocational training and counselling, and began a career in training. Within the framework of Forum Emploi Estrie, she set up a program to assist unemployed people in starting their own business. "I got people to talk about their aspirations, upholding that it's still possible to achieve anything you want at 50 years of age. . . despite the fact that I didn't dare follow my own dream!"
At 30, in charge of business relations at Adecco, she was noticed for her strong personality and sharp wit. She happened to notice a small ad for an audition for a female comic. "I told myself to go for it—it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. And guess what? I got it!" She proceeded to lead an exhausting but thrilling double life, crisscrossing the province of Quebec to perform her show.
And that's when the bombshell dropped: "I was in my office, when a call from Rémi Tremblay, the president of Adecco, was announced. Astonished, I answered, somewhat nervous." "Julie, are you sitting down?" he asked. "He'd heard about me, was aware of my vocation, and offered to hire me—as a comic! I almost fainted. . ."
This assistance was decisive for the beginning comic. For a year and a half, she learned her new trade by perfecting her acts at conferences and congresses. She began to forge a truly unique style—that of a confident, self-assured woman, brimming with energy and an innate talent for story-telling.
"When I had to stop my performances for Adecco for lack of funds, I was given the opportunity of going back to my former job. I couldn't do it, though, now that I was sure of my vocation." Her decision made, she dropped everything to launch a full‑time comedy career. Her partner, then head of a business, decided to accompany her in this adventure as her manager.
The following years of hard work paid off with her successes at the Just for Laughs Festival and when she was nominated Discovery of the Year during the Gala des Olivier. After six years of intensive preparation, Julie Caron presented her first one-woman show, "Une vraie fille, c'est moi ça ?" [a real woman. . . . that's me?], produced by Guy Fournier.
"I have very good memories of my years in human resources. I met all kinds of people and learned to use humour on the job. It's not a coincidence that I chose this way of being close to people."
See Julie Caron perform November 14 and 15, 2006, at the