Angèle’s words

In 1998, I didn’t want to create a theater company;

I wanted to be free to create.

But after reading my text “Les Lanternes oubliées ou Allégorie d’une planète en quête de lumière” (Forgotten Lanterns or Allegory of a Planet in Search of Light), the creation of a company was an obvious choice for me, for all of us who were present at the reading.

Even the name.

Especially the name:

Le Théâtre des Petites Lanternes.

Lanterns…

Those of the thousands of men and women who were going to share their stories and imaginations with us.

Their imaginations.

Those of the inspirations of creators and creatresses,

the ideals of our Boards of Directors and teams,

those of the wild ideas, fantasies, and suppositions we were about to hear.

A theater lit by hundreds, perhaps thousands, of lanterns!!!

A theater for other voices to be heard,

those unheard,

creating to become a voice,

to question,

to see differently, perhaps,

to transform, certainly.

We had nothing.

I’ve always told myself that since I have nothing, I have nothing to lose.

That’s when everything becomes possible,

and it’s very liberating. 

I set out on my journey

with Ginette, Bernard, Nicole, Christine, then Sylvia, Esther, Francine, Nicole, Andréa, Jo-Anne, Suzanne, Josianne, Claude, Guy, Sylvie, Jean, Catherine, Alexandre, Amélie, Viviane… and so many other artists,

so many other artists and employees who have joined us over the years.

Creating, managing, and directing the company for 14 years,

growing a structure that defines itself as it goes along,

at cross-purposes in the Quebec theatrical-artistic cartography,

with no recurring financial support—

all this put me to the test,

personally and artistically.

Begin again, year after year…

And sow again and again.

And where some might see it as stubbornness,

it was nothing more than a gesture of survival,

bequeathed to me by my territory of rocky soil in the Upper Laurentian Mountains,

who, in spite of myself, made me who I am.

I grew up with wolves; we knew them.

Every spring, as a family, we’d start to remove the rocks that the earth had pushed upwards; we knew.

For winters on end, we subsisted.

But every evening, after family prayer and before bedtime,

my father would bring out his fiddle and harmonica.

My mother would sing,

and we danced and laughed. 

Everything was possible again.

So we went to sleep,

peacefully.

And during the day, when we were in the field,

my gaze often rested over the Laurentian mountains.

What could be on the other side, farther away?

And how do we get there? It’s so far away…

“Start by putting one foot in front of the other, looking where you want to go,” my father told me.

We created the Théâtre des Petites Lanternes by first putting one foot in front of the other,

not knowing where it would lead. 

But convinced I was on the right track,

my artistic freedom has found its place.

With the welcome and confidence of the Board, my colleagues, and the artistic teams I had the privilege of choosing,

I was free to invent, create, and produce.

From North to South,

from continent to continent,

from one human story to another.

There were times of great storms;

I’ve often sailed through mists.

Along the way, some people took the boat,

and in the face of adversity,

others chose to leave. 

From Uashat-Maliotenam to New York,

from Bolivia to Cuyo Grande in Peru,

from Hong Kong to the Amazon jungle in Brazil,

from refugee camps in Haiti after the earthquake

to the Angolan refugee camp in DRCongo,

from New Brunswick to Lac-Mégantic,

from Sherbrooke to Kinshasa.

There were moments of a state of grace before the grandeur, intelligence, and strength of humankind.

Moments of humility

that inspired my creations

and those who created with me.

So much to hear, so much to say! 

Over the years, I’ve wanted other creators to dream with me.

That the Théâtre des Petites Lanternes become fertile ground for their imaginations too.

Defining the Théâtre des Petites Lanternes’ signature, guiding its artistic destiny, and overcoming the challenges of such a singular trajectory for 25 years is an immense source of pride to share with all those who, over the course of a quarter-century, have helped shape it.

Staying the course has demanded a daily commitment that has often forced me to limit, or pause, my artistic research. Now there will be Kristelle, Cyril, and Véronique at the helm of Théâtre des Petites Lanternes, along with an attentive Board of Directors, and Sandy and Rachel as part of a caring team. I hope that boldness will remain a constant. Finally, I’d like to see financial stability to enable artists to realize their creative dreams. New horizons will emerge, and I’m convinced that our creations will remain firmly rooted in human values, always making room for unheard voices and continuing to inspire us with the hope of freedom.

Today, 25 years later, there’s a lot to tell about this great adventure. So many hours and years devoted to building an organization!

My departure as artistic director stirs up emotions that sometimes destabilize me.

Small and large dizzinesses punctuate my daily life, and certain areas of adversity become apparent.

It’s going to be another step forward, and a glimpse of another way of doing things.

I won’t be far away, with both feet firmly planted in creation and open to other invitations to create. 

Finally, I’d like to salute all you exceptional men and women from all walks of life who have gravitated inside and outside the company and who have believed in me.

It has been an immense honor and a privilege to work with you.

You’ve allowed the TPL to soar, and we’ve all soared a little higher with it.

And I give thanks to Life for it all!

Angèle Séguin