2023-04-20 10:00:00
Originally from Charlevoix, director Yves Desgagnés is working to realize an old dream: the construction of a theater in the heart of his native village. If the Théâtre des Éboulements project materializes, it will be the first professional company devoted to dramatic art in the region.
“There is no theater in Charlevoix. There are none in Baie-Saint-Paul, La Malbaie or Tadoussac. To see theatre, you have to go to Quebec”, remarks the actor, met by The Press in April, to reveal all the details of his project. A state of affairs that is likely to change soon.
For more than a year, with his partner and co-director general, Isabelle Ouellet, Mr. Desgagnés has been fine-tuning the business model of the future Théâtre des Éboulements and looking for financing. In addition to opening a performance hall, the actor wants to make the Théâtre des Éboulements a creative center for the performing arts; a place where we will offer workshops, in-game internships, seminars and artist residencies.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, THE PRESS
Yves Desgagnés with his partner, Isabelle Ouellet. The two have been working for more than a year on the Théâtre des Éboulements project, a drama center that will be built in an ancestral house purchased by the director.
His legacy
Yves Desgagnés turned 65 last January. “I am, as they say, in “my last stretch”. I am old enough to pass on a legacy to younger generations. However, what I want to leave to my village, to my region, is my inexhaustible love of the theatre. »
As for many artists, the pandemic has turned the career of the director, who was also a consultant for the former Prime Minister Pauline Marois, from 2012 to 2014 upside down. During the confinement, the Théâtre du Rideau Vert canceled, at three revivals, the creation of his staging of the Long journey into the night. At the start of the year, he decided to sell his condo in downtown Montreal, in order to move permanently to Les Éboulements, where he owns a house and a paint studio.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, THE PRESS
Built in 1860, the house has over time housed a fashion boutique, a general store, a funeral parlour, a confectionery… and will soon be transformed into a theatre, if it is up to Desgagnés and his partners. .
So he bought an English-style ancestral home, with round dormer windows, on the route du Fleuve, where he intends to open his theater. Built in 1860, this house has over time housed a fashion boutique, a general store, a funeral home, a confectionery… It has been unoccupied since 2020.
The magic of theater
The cost of the project is estimated at approximately $2 million. The house would be completely restored and would retain its original character. The work includes the addition of an extension to erect the stage cage and build a 110-seat walk-in hall. The scenographers Roxanne Gariépy and Xavier Mary drew up the plans for the hall and its outbuildings.
Renderings of the Théâtre des Éboulements
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IMAGE PROVIDED BY YVES DESGAGNÉS
The Théâtre des Éboulements would have an Italian-style hall.
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IMAGE PROVIDED BY YVES DESGAGNÉS
The room would have 110 seats.
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IMAGE PROVIDED BY YVES DESGAGNÉS
The programming would be decided by actors.
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IMAGE PROVIDED BY YVES DESGAGNÉS
The house would be completely restored while keeping its original character.
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IMAGE PROVIDED BY YVES DESGAGNÉS
The future Théâtre des Éboulements wishes to offer workshops, acting internships, seminars, artist residencies, in addition to offering school matinees.
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IMAGE PROVIDED BY YVES DESGAGNÉS
The project provides for the addition of an extension to the ancestral house to erect the stage cage.
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IMAGE PROVIDED BY YVES DESGAGNÉS
The cost of the project is estimated at approximately $2 million.
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“I’ve always liked the mystery of Italian-style theaters,” says Desgagnés. I like these old rooms more than the open, modern studios that have become the norm. »
I like that the stage cage and the backstage are hidden behind a heavy velvet curtain, so as to leave nothing visible to the public entering the room. When the curtain finally opens, the spectators discover a whole world… The magic of the theatre!
Yves Desgagnes
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PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, THE PRESS
If the Théâtre des Éboulements project materializes, it will be the first and only company dedicated to dramatic art in the region.
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PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, THE PRESS
The ancestral house, which dates from 1860, will be completely transformed.
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An actors’ house
Yves Desgagnés sees the Théâtre des Éboulements as a “house of actors”: “Like [toutes proportions gardées] the Actors Studio in New York. A place where the best actors in Quebec can give workshops on the alexandrines of Racine, for example. In addition, the programming will be decided by (and for) performers. If Maude Guérin or Sandrine Bisson dream of playing Phèdre, they can do so at Les Éboulements. »
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, THE PRESS
Yves Desgagnés turned 65 last January. “I am old enough to pass on a legacy to younger generations. »
The Théâtre des Éboulements would be open year-round. It would also offer a youth component, with school mornings for students from schools in the region. Desgagnés entrusted the supervision to the actress Valérie Blais.
Desgagnés’ partner in the project, Isabelle Ouellet, lives in Les Éboulements and sits on its board of directors. “Isabella [Ouellet] is a lawyer and she has a master’s degree in the management of cultural enterprises, specifies Desgagnés. We toured the organizations for grant applications. It’s a very long time to get answers. »
However, my dream is to see a patron join the project.
Yves Desgagnes
According to the man of theatre, patronage is not in the mentality in Quebec. “Recently, we have seen new donors sensitive to this reality. However, in the past, francophones had no money. As they get richer, they tend to look at their bank account, surprised to see a large amount with lots of zeros! In Jewish or Anglo-Saxon communities in Canada and the United States, rich people redistribute more of their wealth and make bequests for culture and the arts! »
Desgagnés’ dream is also to celebrate the arrival of a new generation of major donors who would support drama companies in Quebec… outside the major centres.
A website (under construction) on the project will be launched on April 29 at the address: theatredeseboulements.com.
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