Valise Theatre, winner of the Creative research residency
The new production of Valise Theatre entitled Buzzie and the kite, written by Louise Trudel and Marielle Mencé, has been selected to benefit from a research and creation residency at the Maison Internationale des arts de la marionnette (MIAM). Funded by the Conseil des arts de Montreal and the Casteliers festival, this program will allow Valise Theatre artists to benefit from MIAM’s spaces, equipment, and specialized resources.
During three weeks in December 2020, the Valise Theatre creation teamwork will tackle the first step of research and creation of Buzzie and the Kite. This project reflects the continuity of the artistic approach of Valise Theatre, which is dedicated to the fusion of puppet encounters with different artistic disciplines. This fantastic fable tells the adventures of a little girl of Indian origin through an original story who finds herself in the Gaspésie. It is an inspiring encounter between East and West. Above all, it is an invitation to rediscover forgotten memories, poems, even sources of common roots.
It is still too early to reveal our creation secrets. However, our interdisciplinary puppet show has plenty of surprises in store for you thanks to a very lively puppet installation, hosted in part by Hélène Trudel, accompanied by narrations, video projection, and live music. Stay tuned for Valise Theatre’s explorations to be unveiled in December 2020.
Valise Theatre at Conseil des arts de Montréal en tournée 2020-2021
We are so happy to share this good news with you. The new Valise Théâtre production entitled Letters from Drawing-town was selected as a part of the Conseil des arts de Montréal en Tournée program. We have already received eight invitations, and since February 2021, the show will be on tour in the Réseau Accès culture venues in Montreal. The project is selected as part of the Chambre d’Amis program, organized by the Maison Théâtre and the CUBE program (International Center for Research and Theater Development for Children and Youth), the result of a creative research residency at the Maison Théâtre, Le Théâtre Carrousel, and L’Illusion Theater. Letters from Drawing-Town journey into a little boy’s imaginary and mysterious universe with a rather strange idea. After the Petits Bonheurs festival in Sherbrooke, it will be the second adventure for this new production, which already has many surprises for its spectators.
With a new project at Maison Theatre
Selected as part of the Chambre d’amis program, organized by the Maison Theatre, the creative team of Valise Theater had the chance to benefit from a residency of research and creation at Maison Theatre. Accompanying Sabrina Baran as the Artistic Advisor, Valise Theater’s artists worked on the company’s new creation titled Letters from the Drawing Town. It is an interdisciplinary project that amalgamates puppets, objects, video and acting. Here are some beautiful pictures of a representation of this project that took place at the end of residency.
Final step at CUBE
The new creation of Valise Theatre has been selected as part of the CUBE program. In summer 2019, the creative team were in residence at the Carrousel Theater, and for a week they worked on the final version of the Letters from the Drawing Town project. It was also a great opportunity to benefit from an artistic accompaniment of Marie-Ève Huot and Gervais Gaudreault. Thanks to the grants of the CAC, CALQ and CAM the Letters from the Drawing Town project arrived at the last station. This project has already begun the beautiful tours at the festival Petits-Bonheurs de Sherbrooke in 2019.
Creative residency at Illusion Theater
In spring 2018 we will be in residency at the studio of Illusion Theater in Montreal. A very good opportunity to create our new puppet show on behalf of Letters from Drawing Town. Under the direction of Sabrina Baran, as an artistic advisor, this project is the presentation of a puppet theater play followed by a coloring ceremony for children from 3 to 7 and the whole family. It is an interactive creation that moves children and encourages them to attend creative activities through their participation, their involvement and especially their artistic inspiration! Thanks to Illusion Theatre for this generosity and also for its support which is encouraging. In fact, it is also a good opportunity to make Valise Theater known to the Montreal public. This residency ends with a public presentation, followed by an exchange and discussion with the public.
The history of immigration and integration
As part of the 70th anniversary of CSAI (Social Assistance Center for Immigrants), a puppet show was staged in the name of ALL WHITE, ALL HOT. This multidisciplinary and interactive performance, accompanied by video and live music, is the result of a collaboration with this social center that tells the story of immigration and the integration of newcomers to Montreal. This new experience has given us the opportunity to explore new interpretive techniques in contemporary puppet theater. Bringing the puppet theater out of the conventional theater halls and doing some kind of cultural mediation with the people of an immigrant community, was one of our missions that was realized by this project.
Puppet making workshop
In September 2017, on the occasion of Verdun’s neighborhood party, we organized a puppetry workshop for children, as well as the whole family. This outdoor activity, conducted by Verdun Borough, took place in front of the Jacqueline-De Repentigny Library. During this family workshop, we made beautiful puppets using wooden spoons. A fun and creative activity to get the kids moving and become familiar with the puppet making process. A nice family outing that brought us to a beautiful community in Verdun.