Round Table: The theatre, “Francophonie,” and Crisis

The round table The theatre, “Francophonie,” and crisis, organized by Marie-Eve Skeilling Desmeules, will discuss the manner in which the pandemic and the measures imposed in various Canadian provinces have had an impact on the creation, production and dissemination activities of companies working in French in various contexts. The session will also be an opportunity to discuss the repercussions experienced and envisaged by these companies and the artistic milieu, as well as to highlight initiatives—in the form of projects, new ways to reach the public, and nurturing links with the community—with regard to the provincial standards imposed during the pandemic.  

Bios: 

Joël Beddows is Artistic Director of the Théâtre français de Toronto and a professor in the Department of Theatre at the University of Ottawa. He has been Artistic Director of the Théâtre la Catapulte, has directed for a variety of French and English companies across Canada and abroad, and is the author of numerous scholarly articles, blog posts, and think pieces on directing, history, and the arts in a minority setting. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Association des théâtres francophones du Canada.

Geneviève Pelletier is at the helm of the artistic and general direction of the Théâtre Cercle Molière and Co-President of the Commission internationale du théâtre francophone [CITF]. A Canadian actress and director from Winnipeg, she is interested in the crossroads of cultures and the multiple possibilities opening up in this world where populations and disciplines are increasingly overlapping, creating fertile and complex creative spaces.

Anne-Marie Olivier has been Artistic Director and Co-Executive Director of Théâtre du Trident since 2012. She is also the Artistic Director of the company Bienvenue aux dames and, since 2019, artistic expert for Quebec as part of the Commission internationale du théâtre francophone [CITF]. She has recently received the Governor General’s Literary Award in the Theatre category for Venir au monde, une ode au courage des femmes.

Bruce MacKay is Artistic Director and Co-Executive Director of La Troupe du Jour. Originally from New Brunswick, he trained at the National Theatre School and Mount Allison University. Resident of Saskatoon since 1997, he has appeared on stage many times in La Troupe du Jour productions, most Saskatchewan theatre companies, as well as various theatre companies across the country, in both English and French.

Allain Roy is Artistic Director and Co-General Manager of Théâtre populaire d’Acadie. A graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada’s production department, where he taught for 10 years, he has been an assistant director and stage manager for numerous theatre companies and has toured in Canada and Europe. He has collaborated with many renowned directors in over 130 productions. He is equally a member of the board of directors of the l’Association des théâtres francophones du Canada.