The Duceppe Theater was rewarded Thursday by the Conseil des arts de Montréal, which highlighted its efforts to reach audiences, its inclusive and daring programming as well as its eco-responsible initiatives. Duceppe’s team received a $30,000 scholarship.
“Thank you for this great risk, launched co-artistic director David Laurin, who took the reins of Duceppe with Jean-Simon Traversy in 2017. Thank you to the board of directors who entrusted the management of this institution to three rather inexperienced young people, Amélie Duceppe [general manager], Jean-Simon Traversy and myself to bring Jean-Duceppe’s theater, an open, popular and accessible theater to a new generation. »
David Laurin took the time to thank one of Duceppe’s most important patrons, Power Corporation. “You have allowed us to establish writing residencies for Quebec authors for five years. In 2022 alone, we were able to produce four plays by Quebec authors: Pétrole, Mama, Le loup, Showtime. »
The decision was made unanimously, said the director general of the Conseil des arts de Montréal Nathalie Maillé.
“Visionary, this organization is fearless, it multiplies efforts and strategies to reach audiences and makes progress on several fronts to act in complete relevance with the current era. Inclusive and daring programming that brings us together and resembles us. Eco-responsible initiatives that show the way forward, an outstretched hand to all generations,” she said in essence.
David Laurin concluded his speech by wishing Duceppe to do “inclusive” and “spectacular” theater. “A theater that makes people want to move, to come see us, but also eco-responsible, that’s the challenge ahead of us,” he said. We need to stop sticking our heads in the sand. I hope that next year, all cultural organizations will have made progress. »
The other seven finalists were: Cinéma Beaubien, Montreal Youth Literature Festival (Page by Page), JOAT International Street Dance Festival, Les érotisseries (Les Productions Carmagnoles), Onishka, Salle Bourgie, Sight Sound 2022 (Eastern Block).
In addition, Cinéma Beaubien won the audience award, along with a $10,000 scholarship. It was Mario Fortin, who accepted the award presented by the president and CEO of Télé-Québec, Marie Collin. Mario Fortin retraced the tumultuous history of cinema since 2001, now directed by Roxane Sayegh, general manager of Beaubien cinemas, the Museum and the Park. More than 7,000 people took part in the vote in this category.
Finally, the jury prize was awarded to Handy “HYA” Yacinthe, head of the JOAT International Street Dance Festival, also accompanied by a $10,000 scholarship. HYA particularly thanked the team of Bust A Move, a festival that paved the way for JOAT until 2015.