DynamO Théâtre is again exploring the complex issue of exile. In this instance the project examines population displacement and the horrible conditions that force humans to flee and leave everything to survive. The Nonexistent focuses on borders keeping people apart, wiping out identities, on borders that protect us, that generate conflicts, that people need to cross and those brought down to reach others. The Nonexistent is an oratorio that pays tribute to those who are trying hard to exist on the edges of our world. The journey uses Theatre of Acrobatic Movement to tell the story. Music is also a major player in this production geared for audiences 10 years and up. Based on the terrifying ordeal of those who take to the seas to cross borders, who scale the walls that scar countries and separate families, this production is designed as a space to speak out, to consider international political changes affecting our lives and to challenge on our own limits and borders. Three performers and a cellist have audiences experience the harrowing story of a young girl forced to take to roads interrupted by borders in search of a better life.

VERSION 1 –  THE CHORUS –  on stage during the performance

Theatre-chorus workshops designed to have some 15 to 30 participants take part in a performance of The Nonexistent.

During the workshops, the kids will be working on a moving chorus, i. e. how a group moves as a unit, the guidelines and possibilities as well as the voice of the chorus. They will need to work and memorize short texts included in certain scenes in the play. During the last workshop, they will be attending the run-through in the performance area along with the performers and designers of the play. The workshops are designed to assess the direct interventions during The Nonexistent performance. The students will experience the stage in a professional context and be involved in the creative process. The director will have predetermined scenes on which to work.

There would be seven (7) workshops. Part of the workshops could be held in the classroom but there needs to be enough space to move about. This type of workshop requires student and teacher involvement (attending all workshops, learning lines and movements, attending the run-through and the performance).

Workshop schedule and content

• Workshop 1: Presenting the company and the creative project, discussing the migration theme and going over the workshop program (50 minutes in the classroom)
• Workshop 2: Working on the text and introduction to chorus work (50 minutes in the classroom with enough space to move about)
• Workshop 3: Working on chorus movement (50 minutes in the classroom with space to move about)
• Workshop 4: Working on the text and the chorus movements (90 minutes in the classroom with space to move about)
• Workshop 5: Working on the text and the chorus movements (120 minutes in the classroom with space to move about)
• Workshop 6: Rehearsal with a part of the cast and crew (120 minutes in the classroom with space to move about)
• Workshop 7: Run-through with the cast and crew (120 minutes in the performance area)

VERSION 2 – VOICES – Voices broadcast during the performance

Voice workshops leading to a recording of the words and their definitions based on the text of The Nonexistent.
The students will be working on the text of the play to develop a chorus. The director will be guiding the process. The students will be taking part in the performances through their voices. The recording will be incorporated into the soundtrack of the performance they will be attending. As a result, the audience will recognize their vocal involvement. 
There will be four (4) workshop sessions, which can be held in the classroom. This type of workshop requires student and teacher involvement (attending all workshops and the recording session).

Workshop schedule and content

• Workshop 1: Presenting the company and the creative project, discussing the migration theme and going over the workshop program (50 minutes in the classroom)
• Workshop 2: Presenting the voice chorus in the theatre and reading of the text (50 minutes in the classroom)
• Workshop 3: Working on the text and recording the voices (50 minutes in the classroom)
• Workshop 4: Attending the rehearsal during which the voices will be incorporated into the soundtrack. Meeting the cast and crew (90 minutes in the performance area)

The Nonexistent is a production that aims to stage the itinerary of migrants. Student involvement in the project through their presence on stage or the recording of their voices will enrich the performance. Whether participants are children who have migrated or were born in the country, the migrant reality will touch a chord with all those attending the performance because of its deeply human and moving nature.

CONTACT ANNE-MARIE VAILLANCOURT FOR MORE DETAILS

DynamO Théâtre wishes to thank:

Maison de la culture Notre-Dame de Grâce, Maison de la culture Frontenac, Maison de la culture Pointe-aux-Trembles, Maison de la culture Claude-Léveillée and TOHU for providing creative residencies in their venue.

The Renaissance organization for the clothes.

The company also wants to thank the Cole Foundation for their financial support in producing the play.

The production opened on November 8, 2018, at the Iro Valaskakis-Tembeck hall of Centre culturel Notre-Dame de Grâce.

“Yves Simard’s directing is an absolutely crucial ingredient of the play’s success. Against the background of a polished set design, Brullemans’ words have all the space needed to exist and allow audiences to imagine the crossing without graphically staging it. A simple aluminum panel serves as a wall, a landing, a camp, a door or even a swell that the actors move wherever their movements require it. The audience of some 300 teens attending the performance at Maison des Arts in Laval made it very clear that they highly appreciated every acrobatic feat during the performance.”
Marie Fradette, Le Devoir

The Association québécoise des critiques de théâtre (AQCT) – Recipients of the Critics’ Choice Awards for the 2019-2020 season, Quebec section.