This text is part of the special Theater booklet
The Prix Sentinelle of the Conseil québécois du théâtre (CQT) rewards people who work in the shadows each year. Whether they are in administrative, technical, production, distribution or mediation positions, their contribution to the theater community is remarkable. For the 2022 edition, Jean-Guy Côté receives the Sentinel Prize – Career and Manon Claveau is the winner of the Sentinel Prize – Sustainable Engagement. Overview of their journey.
Jean-Guy Côté (Sentinel Prize – Career)
Now retired, Jean-Guy Côté has worked in the theater for more than fifty years. A true pioneer, he played a central role in the development of theater in Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
From his earliest childhood, he was attracted to the theater and participated in school shows, dreaming of one day becoming a director. But at the time, there was still no training in the field in Quebec. He therefore turned to literary studies at Laval University, where he joined the troupe Les Treize.
He then left, contract in hand, for the Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, where he taught theater for 32 years. During these three decades, he trained not only future professionals in the discipline, but also future spectators.
In parallel with his work as a teacher, he develops structuring projects for the community. At the time, amateur companies in the region wanted to come together. He participated in this initiative, resulting in the creation of the Rouyn Dramatic Center, which will give impetus to theater in the region. Subsequently, he was one of the founders of the Théâtre de par chez nous, then of the Théâtre du tandem.
In 2004, after years of hard work, he founded, with a group of citizens, the Agora des arts, a place of creation, production and dissemination located in an old church in Rouyn-Noranda, and of which he will be the director. artist for seven years.
Today, Jean-Guy Côté has given way to a dynamic succession, but has not abandoned his passion. He is now responsible for the literary direction of the theater collection at Éditions du Quartz. With colleagues, he also formed a research group on the history of theater in the region, and published on the subject.
“We must anchor the promotion of theater among our own citizens, through articles, books, if we want to anchor this discipline in our region,” he said.
Manon Claveau (Sentinel Award – Sustainable Commitment)
Committed to cultural mediation for 20 years, Manon Claveau demystifies the world of theatre, mainly with young people. From her baccalaureate in dramatic art – critical concentration/dramaturgy, at UQAM, she was introduced to theatrical mediation by a pioneer, Monique Rioux, co-founder of the theater Les 2 Mondes, where she completed an internship.
She then returned to study, this time in production at the National Theater School of Canada, then worked with various theater companies. Realizing that she appreciates the laboratories and the moments of discussion with the public, she begins to give workshops in schools.
Cultural mediation goes well beyond the simple discovery of theatre. With young people, Manon Claveau works on creativity, openness to others and the promotion of creative work, particularly during her nine years as coordinator of mediation activities with the Théâtre de la Pire Espèce.
In 2017, she became coordinator of school development and mediation at the Maison Théâtre, which is aimed at children and adolescents. Among its mandates: the development of an application used in class, a YouTube channel with capsules for teachers, and the development of a new approach to mediation.
To meet the needs of young people, it participates in the development of philo-theatre.
“We use the tools of the practice of philosophical dialogue in the way of approaching the works and the aesthetic experience,” she explains. Basically, our practice in mediation was rather instinctive, but it takes on even more meaning when it is tied in with the educational programs of Quebec schools. »
This new approach is generating positive echoes in the school environment, and teachers are very interested.
“At UQAM, I take part in courses given to future teachers, one of whose skills is to mediate elements of culture, which represents a fairly complex issue,” she explains. They are given the means to put this into action in a simple and playful way, even if they are not familiar with theatre. All of this helps young people develop critical thinking, creativity, the quest for meaning, how to anchor themselves in the world and live better together. »