News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: From November 11, 2024 to January 10, 2025 MEDIA CONTACT: Manuel Verreydt | 416-534-7303 ext. 23 | mverreydt@theatrefrancais.com

Toronto, ON - Théâtre français de Toronto (TfT) is proud to unveil the twelfth edition of its Les Zinspiré-e-s theatre series, this year entitled Le Nombre Sublime. Inspired by the quest for perfection associated with the number 12, this edition promises to captivate, move and surprise audiences by celebrating young Franco Ontarian voices and their exceptional talent.

From December 5, 2024 to January 10, 2025, five original new works, selected from over 200 texts penned by teenagers from southwestern Ontario, will be mounted and performed at the Berkeley Street Theatre. Under the expert direction of Vincent Leblanc-Beaudoin, this new production combines humour, insights and boundless creativity to deliver an unforgettable theatrical experience.

Featured works :

• AU SECOURS, L'AMOUR ME CHASSE (HELP! LOVE IS CHASING ME)
  by Sara Bulz (É.s.c. Père-René-de-Galinée) coached by Lara Arabian
  Ana, caught between a mother looking to marry her off and a friend pushing her towards professional success, finds herself at the center of a Cupid's spell. For 24 hours, all the men in her town fall under her spell... in spite of herself.
• GUAC ATTAQUE
  by Mohammad Elnakoury (É.s. Étienne Brûlé) coached by François Macdonald
  Léon and Charlie, two young entrepreneurs, plunge into the world of dropshipping and cross paths with a charismatic influencer. Mr. Mo Money instantly becomes their inspiration... but also their greatest rival.
• DOUBLE IDENTITÉ (DOUBLE IDENTITY)
  by Angelina Trejos Castillo (É.s.c. Nouvelle-Alliance) coached by Carolyn Fe
  While staying at a cottage, a couple confronts a terrifying legend: that seeing one's own doppelgänger is a harbinger of death. This thriller plunges the audience into a breathless confusion between dream and reality.
• SALUTATIONS, PARISIENNE (GREETINGS FROM PARIS)
  by Rachel Darroch, Ella Jade de Boer-Eldelekli and Cindy Mujangi (Collège français, Toronto) coached by Merlin Simard
  In a Parisian family obsessed with appearance and luxury, the daily lives of two twins are turned upside down when an unexpected trip to Italy sets off a frantic race of humour and extravagance.
• COMMENT PEINDRE UNE FILLE (HOW TO PAINT A GIRL)
  by Mia Liang (Havergal College) coached by Merlin Simard
  A woman created by an eccentric scientist finds refuge among drag queens who help her discover and accept her identity.

Awarded several Dora Mavor Moore prizes since its inception in 2012 - and nominated no less than five times in May 2024, Les Zinspiré-e-s continues to showcase today's artistic excellence and tomorrow's promising voices. High school students will have the opportunity to discover these five powerful texts, written by their peers, from December 5, 2024 to January 10, 2025. The general public can immerse themselves in the imaginary world of this new generation at special performances on Wednesday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 14 at 3 p.m. The December 11 performance will be followed by a reception, while the December 14 performance will feature a Q&A session with the artists.

INVALUABLE SUPPORT FROM OUR PARTNERS

The creation of this exceptional edition was made possible with the financial support of the Ontario Ministry of Education and the Government of Canada through the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Minority Language Education and Second Official Language Instruction. TfT would like to thank its partners, BMO, the University of Ottawa, as well as its sponsors, Conseil scolaire Viamonde, Conseil scolaire MonAvenir, Collège Boréal and La Cité for their ongoing support.

LES ZINSPIRÉ.E.S: THE SUBLIME NUMBER
Texts by: Sara Bulz, Rachel Darroch, Mohammad Elnakoury, Ella Jade de Boer-Eldelekli, Mia Liang, Cindy Mujangi and Angelina Trejos Castillo | Coaching by: Lara Arabian, Carolyn Fe, François Macdonald and Merlin Simard | Cast: Rowe Demers, Eudes Laroche-Francoeur, Danik McAfee, Meryl Mourey, Kiana Woo | Director: Vincent Leblanc-Beaudoin| Assistant Director: Hannah Forest Briand | Contest Coordination: Pierre Simpson | Costumes: Melanie McNeill | Sets and props: Natalia Dlugosz | Lighting: Glenn Davidson | Music and Sound Design: Ben Gibson | Stage Manager: Lauren Allen| Production Manager: Mathieu Taillardas | Surtitles: Martha Lenoir
Show: Thursday, December 5, 2024 to Friday, January 10, 2025
Reception: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 after the show
Running time: 75 minutes
Performances for the general public on Wednesday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 14 at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley Street Theatre | 26 rue Berkeley, Toronto
Prices: Regular: $60 | Golden Age: $50 | Under 30s and Artists: $22.50 | Same-day last-minute tickets: $15, $20 or $25| Group rate (8 or more): $20 per ticket
Box office: 416-534-6604 or theatrefrancais.com