Stage Door News
Stage Door News
From September 11 to 16, summer returned to Ottawa to light up the 7th edition of the Zones Théâtrales theatre biennial, the only event that showcases professional theatre from Francophone communities across Canada and the Quebec Regions. To say it was a resounding success would be an understatement! Several new initiatives provided a sneak peek at the possible future of theatre practice in this country. “The 2017 programming was designed to link previous editions of the Zones to the upcoming 2019 edition,” explained Gilles Poulin‑Denis, newly appointed artistic director. For instance, the A/R_V digital lab, a joint project of the Théâtre du Trillium and the National Film Board of Canada Interactive Studio in association with the Zones, will operate for three years and will allow Canadian artists to develop creative projects using virtual reality technology. Also, several young creators were invited to present their completed projects or works in progress, an outreach initiative the biennial intends to continue. Another new element was the NAC’s very first mobile app, which proved popular and useful among festival participants and audiences.
Zones Théâtrales by numbers:
• 11 out of 14 shows sold out.
• 6 staged readings and presentations of works in progress and 2 workshops packed to capacity.
• 36 presenters from across the country attended shows, met with artists, and participated in networking activities to support and promote touring.
• 17 Passeurs de sens (“transmitters of meaning”)—specialized and multidisciplinary presenters—worked together on a professional development project and considered selected performances for potential touring.
• 18 artists—representing France, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Senegal, Lebanon, Mayotte, Reunion Island and Canada—participated in the CITF (Commission internationale du théâtre francophone)’s creative workshop, the Pépinière à projets (“project nursery”), and presented the fruits of their labours at the Zones’ closing event.
• 16 young Canadian artists were invited to participate in the Zones to make new connections and dream up projects that transcend distance.
•250 artists, artisans, presenters and cultural administrators from Francophone communities across Canada, the Quebec Regions and around the world participated in Zones Théâtrales 2017.
Promising spinoffs
The biennial festival is a lively forum for meetings and networking, a showcase for artists and their work, and a performing arts market. Some projects have already generated benefits, with presenters showing interest in taking them further, while partnership possibilities discussed this year will likely bear fruit at future editions of the Zones.
Rich in encounters and discoveries, the 2017 biennial confirmed the event’s important role in Canada’s theatre ecosystem. “I’m confident that everyone who participated in Zones Théâtrales 2017 took home a bunch of great ideas,” says Gilles Poulin‑Denis. “It was an ideal opportunity for artists from Canada’s Francophone communities and international participants to share their passion, launch new projects, and team up with new partners. What will be the outcome of these important encounters? Time will tell—so join us in 2019!”
“Zones 2017 will stick in my mind for a long time, because my colleagues answered a lot of my questions. By presenting their own work or giving me feedback on mine, they helped me discover new creative possibilities, like new pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that will never be completed. I’m grateful to Zones Théâtrales for supporting these rich and inspiring encounters.”
—Matthieu Girard, playwright, actor and director
Mark your calendar for the eighth edition of Zones Théâtrales,
September 9 to 14, 2019!
The Zones Théâtrales biennial is produced by the National Arts Centre with assistance from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Department of Canadian Heritage. Zones Théâtrales gratefully acknowledges the support of its partners and venues: the Association des théâtres francophones du Canada, the Regroupement des éditeurs canadiens-français, Théâtre Action, La Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins, the University of Ottawa, Arts Court, Réseau Ontario, Réseau des grands espaces, RADARTS, Les Voyagements, the National Film Board Interactive Studio, Restaurant Choux Choux, Llama Communications, GoLive, and Le Droit daily newspaper.
Facebook: Zones Théâtrales
Twitter: #ZT17 and @zonestheatrales
APP: ZonesT: available on the App Store and Google Play
ZONESTHEATRALES.CA
2017-09-22
Ottawa: Zones Théâtrales 2017 was a resounding success