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PROFILESince the early seventies, promoting the art of puppetry has been Théâtre de l’Œil’s "raison d'être". As a company focused on research and new productions, the spirit of innovation which it embodies is expressed in its productions for young audiences, in its capacity to promote them, and in its professional training activities. The objectives of the company are to seek contact with young spectators through passion and intelligence, to propose and instill the appreciation of a variety of worlds by relying on the force of theatrical images, to tell stories which find resonance in the imagination of children, making them laugh, dream and reflect. With a desire to diversify and enrich the art of puppetry, Théâtre de l’Œil favours alternating or mixing diverse type of puppets. Thanks to its scenography designs, the ingenuity of its puppets and the originality of the proposed themes, Théâtre de l’Œil has built up a solid reputation . Founded in 1973 by Francine Saint-Aubin and André Laliberté, the current artistic director, Théâtre de l’Œil has created twenty-six original productions Théâtre de l’Œil is a touring company and has always performed its shows on stages across Québec and Canada as well as abroad. Thanks to the hard work and creativity of 350 artists and craftspeople, the company has reached more than 1,3 million spectators during its 5,000 or so performances given on four continents. Théâtre de l’Œil has a well-established reputation at home and on the world stage, and is a proud promoter of Québec excellence. ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
André Laliberté developed a passion for puppetry during a stay in a children’s hospital where he saw a performance by Micheline Legendre’s Les Marionnettes de Montréal. He was then trained by this company for about ten years, before founding his own, Théâtre de l’Œil, with Francine Saint-Aubin in 1973. For more than four decades at the helm of his boat, now as general manager and artistic director, he has performed, manipulated, written and directed a good number of Théâtre de l’Œil’s twenty-six productions. A savvy artist, he surrounds himself with designers and playwrights known for their ability to create demanding and refined theatre, building a veritable repertoire for puppetry seen throughout the globe. A creative force in his field, he was one of the three founding members of the Maison Théâtre in Montreal in 1982. Recognised by his peers, an expert in his discipline, he enjoys passing on techniques of the trade, which is for him much more than a profession: it is a genuine passion. Furthermore, he shares his office with the puppets from the shows by Théâtre de l’Œil. Their silent présence inspires him, he says. A man of refinement, among his many qualities André Laliberté is a tea lover and chocolate gourmet. He is also a loyal client and fine connoisseur of the Jean-Talon Market which he visits faithfully. PAST PRODUCTIONS
AWARDSThéâtre de l’Œil• 2013 - Recognition Award - (29th Grand Prix finalist) from the Conseil des arts de Montréal. Corbeau / Raven• 2014 - Audience Award and special mention for its props from the Young Critics- Arrière Scène, 2013-14 season (Centre dramatique pour l’enfance et la jeunesse en Montérégie / Dramatic Art Center for the childhood and the youth in Montérégie). Sur 3 pattes / 3-Legged Tale• 2012 - Audience and Young Critics Awards - Arrière Scène (Centre dramatique pour l’enfance et la jeunesse en Montérégie / Dramatic Art Center for the childhood and the youth in Montérégie). Le Porteur / The Star Keeper• 2005 - Citation of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry - UNIMA-USA. • 2001 - Chalmers Canadian Play Award: Theatre for Young Audiences. • 1999 - “Masque” for the Young Audiences Production, “Masque” for the Set Design, “Masque” for the Special Contribution for the Puppet Design - the Académie québécoise du théâtre. Zoé perd son temps• 1997 - Citation of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry - UNIMA-USA. Un Autre Monde• 1990 - Best production for Young Audiences - Association québécoise des critiques de théâtre. INTERNATIONAL EVENTSFestival International des arts de la marionnette à Saguenay, FIAMS (Canada) ARTS MARKETSPacific Contact | BC touring council SPECIAL PROJECTS• In 2005, Théâtre de l’Œil was invited to create a puppet sequence for the production of La Savetière prodigieuse by Federico García Lorca, presented at the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde from January 11 to February 5, 2005 and then on tour throughout Québec. • In 2001, many of Théâtre de l'Œil’s faithful collaborators (artistic director, designers and puppeteers) were part of the creative team of Hugo et le Dragon, a cinematographic production by Arico Film Communication, which won an award at the Banff Television Festival and the Gala des prix Gémeaux, in 2002. • In 1990, Théâtre de l’Œil collaborated both in the creating and filming of a puppet sequence for the 3D éducative film Echoes of the Sun, co-produced by the IMAX corporation and FUJITSU Ltd. and presented at the Osaka (1990) and Séville (1992) universal expositions. PUBLISHED PLAYSLe coeur en hiver, Dramaturges Éditeurs (2015) Corbeau, L’instant même (2013) La Cité des Loups, Lanctôt Éditeur (2005) Un Autre Monde, Lanctôt Éditeur (2001) Le jardin de Babel, Lanctôt Éditeur (1999) Zoé perd son temps, Lanctôt Éditeur (1996) Qui a peur de Loulou ?, VLB Éditeur (1994) Regarde pour voir, Éditions Québec/Amérique (1981) PARTNERSAssociative PartnersPUPPETRY Association québécoise des marionnettistes ART FOR YOUTH THEATRE Public PartnersConseil des arts et des lettres du Québec |
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