POLYGLOTTE
2015
Citizenship ceremony for new Canadians
Premiered at Théâtre Aux Écuries, Montréal
September 15th to October 3rd, 2015
Preview at Festival TransAmérique, June, 2015
Nine immigrants are invited to take a citizenship test conceived by Olivier Choinière. A voice, a kind of Canadian Big Brother, asks them questions about Canadian culture and history, in both English and French, that are designed to test their knowledge…or compliance?
Using archival material and excerpts from recorded conversations, this performance examines the profound contradictions that exist in Québécois and Canadian society, and demonstrates the disconnect between a country that idealizes itself and the reality experienced by immigrants trying to integrate.
HENRI Are you ready for your test? Es-tu prêt pour l'examen?
ALL Yes. Oui.
HENRI Why are you here? Pourquoi êtes-vous ici?
CAST AND CREW
Written and edited by Olivier Choinière
Directed by Olivier Choinière and Alexia Bürger
Performed by German Barragan, Tatiana Burtin, Mondiana François, Samira Ghorbani, Jorge Juarez, Mahmoud Shawky Hamed Ali, Pamela Robertson, Somnath Shinde, Mireille Tawfik, Farlene Thelisdort, Edward Wong
Assistant to the Director Camille Gascon
Set, Costume, and Prop Designer Elen Ewing
Sound Design Eric Forget
Video Gonzalo Soldi
Lighting Julie Bass
General Management Dominique Hawry
Stage Manager Julien Verroneau, Laurent Duceppe Cantara and Camille Anthony Gascon
Follow Spot Anae Lajoie-Racine
Technical Director Caroline Turcot
Production Management Annie Lalande and Camille Gascon
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Produced by L'ACTIVITÉ and the Festival TransAmériques, co-presented with Théâtre Aux Écuries