Strong Support for Two Projects by Cooperative de Theatre l'Escaouette

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - April 24, 2014) - Department of Canadian Heritage

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament (Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe), Robert Goguen, today announced funding of $95,500 to the Coopérative de Théâtre l'Escaouette for two projects in the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 fiscal years. He made the announcement on behalf of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages Minister Shelly Glover.

A total of $47,500 from the Canada Arts Presentation Fund ($25,000 in 2014-2015 and $22,500 in 2015-2016) will help the organization present two series of plays in Moncton between October 2014 and March 2016, as well as the 8^th Festival à haute voix, which will take place from April 16 to 19, 2015. The festival, held every two years, includes a series of public readings of unpublished works by ten established and emerging authors. The programming for the theatre series includes the performance of some ten different plays produced by professional French-language companies from Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and New Brunswick.

A further $48,000 from the Development of Official-Language Communities Program will support Escaouette's 2014-2015 programming. Activities will include the Festival à haute voix, a playwriting contest in high schools, workshops and training for a new generation of artists, and the performance of Acadian and Francophone theatre productions. This will allow the Escaouette theatre to fulfil its role for a range of clientele (youth, the general public, and professional and emerging artists) within New Brunswick's Francophone minority communities.

Quick Facts

• Since its inception in 1978, the Escaouette theatre has pursued its artistic mission of representing Acadian realities in a new way by creating and performing original works. Translated foreign works are also presented on occasion.
• The company has a number of artistic roles in five areas of activity: developing new texts and translations, ongoing training for emerging Acadian writers, developing creations and new productions, performing its productions at the regional, provincial and national level, and welcoming companies from Acadia and elsewhere.
• The Escaouette theatre owns and manages a multi-purpose space for creation and performance. This is an important facility in Acadia, both for artists and the public.

Quotes

"I am proud that our Government continues to support programs that foster cultural vitality and economic prosperity for our communities. The Coopérative de Théâtre l'Escaouette, through its diversified programming activities, injects life into the Acadian and Francophone cultural scene in Moncton and elsewhere."

- Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"The Coopérative de Théâtre l'Escaouette gives audiences of all ages increased access to Acadian and Francophone theatre right here in our region."

- Robert Goguen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and MP for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe

"Theatre is an inclusive art that brings Francophone communities together to share and appreciate their history, culture and identity. We are delighted to learn that Canadian Heritage is supporting this mission by providing greatly appreciated aid to our organization. This will allow us to continue our playwriting development through the Festival à haute voix and to welcome companies that allow us to present the best the nation has to offer in stage production."

- Marcia Babineau, Artistic Director and General Co-Director

Associated Links

- Canada Arts Presentation Fund

- Development of Official-Language Communities Program

- Théâtre l'Escaouette (in French only)

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