Press Release: New Online Programming
Toronto – Last March, as Canada went into self-isolation in response to the health crisis, Théâtre français de Toronto (TfT) switched to online programming to provide support and entertainment to its community and audiences. This fall, the Theatre of Infinite Possibilities continues to offer online activities through its social networks as well as pursue the development of several upcoming productions. Later this fall, TfT will officially announce its live theatre line-up expected to begin in February 2021 as well as the hygiene protocols developed jointly with presenting partners to ensure the safety of our audiences.
FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES
VOIES/X OUVERTES (OPEN PATHES) – FROM THEATRE TO RADIO
In partnership with Radio-Canada and Sudbury’s Théâtre du Nouvel Ontario (TNO), TfT invites listeners of the program À l’échelle humaine hosted by Isabelle Ménard Saturday mornings to enjoy and participate in the creation of the play Sombre Divan (Dark Sofa), which Michel Ouellette is writing over the course of the fall, and a second piece entitled Convictions by Toronto’s Lara Arabian this winter, both directed by Dillon Orr. Each week, listeners will be able to participate in the development of a story inspired in part by their ideas and comments. The first episode of Sombre Divan will air on Saturday, October 3, on ICI RADIO-CANADA PREMIÈRE – Ontario.
ONLINE ORIGINAL WORKS
Theatre creators Vincent Leblanc-Beaudoin and Karine Ricard will present their most recent works, Le Concierge (The Janitor) directed by Daniele Bartolini and presented in video format and Les Sept Péchés capitaux (The Seven Deadly Sins) directed by Patricia Marceau in a podcast format. Don’t miss these provocative and touching Franco-Ontarian works-in-progress, presented as part of Théâtre Action’s online festival, Les Feuilles vives.
CLUB DE LECTURE (THE BOOK CLUB)
In partnership with the Alliance Française de Toronto, TfT continues to offer a book club run by Hadrien Volle. Virtual meetings will be an opportunity to discuss and explore the great plays and scene that have marked the world of theatre.
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND TEACHERS.
ACTING CLASSES
Kids can once again join Eudes La Roche-Francoeur and Elisabeth Dorion-Soucy for acting classes on the TfT Facebook page. This fall’s classes, intended for kids aged 6-9 and for kids 10-14, will include exercises and demonstrations that can easily be followed in the comfort of your living room or in a class-room setting.
STORY TIME
In partnership with TFO, TfT will share stories and legends from around the world presented by artists and filmed in virtual sets of the LUV. These will be available on our social networks beginning in December and will feature the talents of Jenny Brizard (Afro-Carribean stories), Émily Séguin (Anishinabe stories) and Eudes La Roche-Francoeur (Franco-Ontarian and European stories)
LES ZINSPIRÉ.E.S PLAYWRITING COMPETITION.
The company continues its mission to encourage the creators of tomorrow to imagine, write and develop original scripts and submit them to our provincial writing competition orchestrated by Pierre Simpson. Entering its fifth year, this competition has already reached more than 50,000 teenagers. The five best texts will be staged in 2021-2022 in a TfT original production.
THEATRE IN THE CLASSROOM
TfT will make recordings of three previously produced shows available to teachers. These streamed shows will include interviews and supporting documents, allowing students to access theatrical programming directly from their classroom or computers.
- Albertine en cinq by Michel Tremblay
- Zone by Marcel Dubé
- Une maison face au Nord by Jean-Rock Gaudreault
FOR ARTISTS
LES ZUTOPIES SOLITAIRES – WRITING WORKSHOPS:
With the success of the Les Zutopies solitaires writing competition held in April and May 2020, TfT will once again invite aspiring playwrights to submit their creations to a selection committee. Readings of the selected texts will be presented on our Facebook page. The three speakers who will launch the event are Émilie Leclerc (Vancouver), Marie-Claire Marcotte (Toronto) and Diane Losier (Caraquet). This year, the competition is open to devised as well as written scripting processes.
DRAMATURGIES EN CHANTIER (DRAMATURGIES UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
TNO (Sudbury), Théâtre Catapulte (Ottawa) and TfT are continuing the Dramaturgie en chantier initiative in 2020-2021, this time with a focus on queer Franco-Ontarian artists. Details of this initiative will be announced soon.
WORKS IN DEVELOPMENT
SOLSTICE D’HIVER (WINTER’S SOLTICE) BY ROLAND SCHIMMELPFENNIG – EXPLORATORY WORKSHOP
TfT is pleased to join Montréal’s Théâtre Prospero in offering a second workshop for the play Solstice d’hiver by Roland Schimmelpfennig as part of the Territoires de parole event. In identifying the evil that lies in wait, the playwright unpacks and lays bare the mechanisms of a strangely current fascism.
YASSAMA ET LA CALEBASSE AU CAURIS (YASSAMA AND THE BEADED CALABASH) BY LUA SHAYENNE – EXPLORATORY WORKSHOP
TfT deepens its ties with the WeeFestival by supporting the development of an original work for children three years and older by Lua Shayenne. The ineffable Djennie Laguerre joins the team as director, with dramaturgical support from WeeFestival Artistic Director Lynda Hill.
LA VIEILLE DAME ET LA JEUNE FILLE (THE OLD LADY AND THE YOUNG GIRL) – EXPLORATORY WORKSHOP
TfT and Québec City’s Théâtre du Gros Mécano looks forward to workshopping Louise Allaire’s multi-ethnic dance-theatre creation inspired by Kouam Tawa‘s children’s books. Once pandemic travel restrictions are lifted, Cameroon’s Tawa and performer Anigue Feumba will join their Canadian counterparts.
As we await the reopening of theatres next year, TfT is increasing its collaborations with partners to continue offering high-quality cultural activities in French, accessible to everyone everywhere. Our aim is to continue to exchange, discover and entertain in complete safety. Continue browsing the website for additional information.
Illustration: Valentin Fleur
