A Family Business
The early days
In 1985, Patrick Bergé and Lorraine Berthiaume founded Scéno Plus with a clear goal: to raise the standards of theater infrastructure in Quebec by reimagining both the audience experience and the stage and backstage areas.
From the very beginning, the firm built its reputation by participating in landmark projects in Quebec’s cultural scene, notably the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, the Théâtre de la Ville, the Théâtre du Rideau Vert, the Centre du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui, and the Salle Pierre-Mercure.
Project after project, the firm built up its expertise—and its reputation. Then came a meeting that would change the course of Scéno Plus.
Its partnership with Cirque du Soleil marked a decisive turning point and paved the way for its international expansion. Starting in 1994, with the Treasure Island Theatre in Las Vegas—designed to host Mystère—followed by the Bellagio Theatre for O and the Cirque du Soleil Theatre at Walt Disney World for La Nouba, Scéno Plus designed the theaters for Cirque du Soleil’s first three permanent productions and established the expertise that would become its hallmark.
The Rise to International Prominence
Buoyed by this success, Scéno Plus developed a highly sought-after expertise: designing venues optimized for performance and the audience experience. Collaborations multiplied, and the firm forged relationships that would shape its future. A pivotal moment came when René Angélil and Céline Dion enlisted Scéno Plus to design a venue in Las Vegas entirely centered around an artist and her show: The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The project marked a new turning point for the firm and redefined industry standards by laying the groundwork for the model of major artist residencies in Las Vegas.
This decade also confirmed Scéno Plus’s ability to adapt its approach to a wide variety of contexts. From Montreal to Paris, via Las Vegas, the firm worked on both historic venues and new entertainment spaces. Each project enriched its expertise and expanded its scope, which now extends far beyond the borders of Quebec.
International Expansion
Scéno Plus has evolved from a well-known Quebec firm into a major global player. The team is sought after for large-scale projects in markets where industry expectations are rapidly changing. From one continent to another, Scéno Plus designs venues with increasingly diverse purposes and scales. Venue such as The Star Event Center and The Star Theater in Australia, the ING Arena in Brussels, The Joint (now The Theater at Virgin Hotels) and Le Rêve Theater in Las Vegas, and Ovation Hall in Atlantic City are testaments to this growing influence.
But behind these destinations and projects lies, above all, a distinct design philosophy. Architecture, set design, technology, acoustics, and operations are conceived as inseparable components of a single experience. This integrated vision has become one of Scéno Plus’s greatest strengths: understanding the performance as a whole to create venues that are ever more high-performing, flexible, and spectacular.
The New Generation
After three decades of growth, a new chapter in the family’s history is beginning to unfold. Vincent has joined Scéno Plus alongside Olivier, who has already been with the company for nearly ten years. Together, the two sons are learning, growing, and gradually taking their place alongside the founders. The next generation is taking shape, naturally, building on what has been established.
As this transition gets underway, Scéno Plus continues to expand and strengthen lasting relationships with several major international players in the entertainment industry. The Theater at MGM National Harbor, Dolby Live at MGM Park, the MGM Cotai Theater in Macau, and Hard Rock LIVE Hollywood are testaments to a period in which the firm is once again pushing the boundaries of the venues it designs—in terms of capacity, flexibility, technology, and experience.
In 2020, on the occasion of Scéno Plus’s 35th anniversary, Patrick and Lorraine officially handed the reins of the company over to their sons. More than just a change in leadership, it was the passing on of a vision, a culture, and a passion. A new generation is taking the helm at Scéno Plus, committed to preserving what makes the company strong while continuing to drive its evolution.
The years that followed confirmed this continuity. From the Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas to new collaborations like Hard Rock LIVE Sacramento, Scéno Plus continues to envision new venues while revisiting some of the venues that have marked its history.
The new generation is at the helm. The story continues. And the passion remains as strong as ever.
40 years… and it is just the beginning!
In 2025, Scéno Plus will celebrate its 40th anniversary. Four decades after its founding in Montreal, we continue to do what has driven us since day one: envisioning better spaces for living, creating, and presenting live performances.
That same year marks a new milestone in our relationship with Hard Rock International with the opening in Ottawa of the first Hard Rock LIVE in Canada. This collaboration exemplifies what has always fueled our growth: trust built over time and the desire to create something new, together.
Today, the continued trust of our long-standing clients, partners, and employees goes hand in hand with new connections, new markets, and new opportunities. This same sense of continuity is at the heart of our team, where a new generation of designers and specialists is growing alongside those who have helped shape Scéno Plus for many years. Generations come together, knowledge is passed down, and ideas continue to evolve.
