On January 15, young Franco-Manitobans hit the Théâtre Cercle Molière (TCM) stage with their collective creation Un peu partout! (Here and There!).
Starting 19 months ago, performers aged 17 to 21 shaped this original play together. The story follows 18-year-old Isabelle, who finds herself on a tangled path paved with regret, searching desperately for clarity and self-discovery. The creative journey began at TCM’s “Yes, And” program, with many of the cast saying it ignited their creativity to tell a story that reflects themselves.
As cast member Jordan Showers explains, it was an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of theatre. “It was an outlet to constantly learn about the industry, about story creation and conceptions, all those different things, and how to put it together.”
The project appealed to Madison Nelson because it promised hands-on experience and the chance to contribute to a professional-level production. She recalls her excitement when she was invited to participate. “We were going to write a play together and perform it, and I thought, that’s the coolest thing ever.”
The collaborative nature of the project has ups and downs. Coordinating schedules across age groups and balancing other commitments was no small feat. Yet, this mix of perspectives is a powerful tool in the creative process, explains Amélie Tétrault, another cast member. “Sometimes it’s hard, and sometimes it clashes. We’ve noticed that sometimes in the writing process and just when we practice and we have rehearsals, but at the end of the day, it’s beautiful, and we can learn so much from other people.”
A unique aspect of the production is its French language roots. For Lizzie Rocho, it was a chance to reconnect to the language. ” It was my first year out of high school, and I did high school in French, so I hadn’t spoken French for about a year. I thought this would be a great way to get back into it.”
Through Here and There! Mikaël Beaudry has seen how his fellow cast members have grown and how these experiences have shaped all of them. “Some of us are Francophone, and some of us are not. To see this growth throughout all of us, not just from speaking the French language but also just like being able to express ourselves in French and being happy to do theatre in French, is just so interesting.”
For Andreas Detillieux, this project has become an inspiration to take on more challenges and opportunities. “I have been doing theatre and university for several years now, and I’ve enjoyed it. But this professional experience that I’ve gotten from this just expanded my horizon for me, and I’ve been looking for more experiences and opportunities like that.”
Stage Manager Sarah Lamoureux says they are proud of the performers and hopes audiences can see the passion these youth have put into the project.
“It’s been a labour of love as a group for almost two years now. You can really see the heart and the joy in it. And I hope that everybody can come and enjoy seeing that on the stage, seeing a group of young people come together in such a beautiful way.”
Un peu partout! (Here and There!) runs from January 15 to 25, 2025 at the TCM.
– Ryan Funk, U Multicultural
