After 28 seasons watching over the lobby of the Center du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui, André Morissette will soon leave his position as director of reception and ticketing to embrace a well-deserved retirement. For the public and the actors, the departure of this shadow worker will leave a hole that is difficult to fill.
Humble, reassuring, passionate… The qualifiers fall in bunches when the name of André Morissette is mentioned among his colleagues at the Center du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui. It is he who, for almost 30 years, has welcomed the public before shows, like a sentinel keeping watch in the hubbub of the hall. He also ensures that the bar is stocked, that the ushers are on duty and that everything is running smoothly at the ticket office.
“André is a bit like the soul of the theater,” says Étienne Langlois, co-general director and administrative director of the Center du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui. “It is he who creates the first link with the public. Spectators, especially subscribers, recognize it when they enter the theater. And he remembers several of them. »
When he speaks – with great emotion – of this career spent ensuring the well-being of almost everyone, the 63-year-old man is the first to be surprised. He didn’t see himself staying on the job that long when then-artistic director Michelle Rossignol hired him to work 20 hours a week.
I have always approached this work one year at a time. I learned to love it… Today, I realize everything it has given me. I managed to feel good and find my place in an environment, that of the theater, where it is not easy to enter.
André Morissette, director of reception and ticketing
André Morissette says it: theater has always been part of his life. During his adolescence spent in Malartic, in Abitibi, he fell in love with the theater, after attending a performance of the play The time of a lifetimeheadlined by Muriel Dutil.
The shock was such for him that he decided to pursue a career as an actor. He studied acting for three years at the Saint-Hyacinthe CEGEP in the 1980s. He then worked as artistic director for the dinner theaters organized at the now-defunct Haunted House and the Jardin du baron fou. We also heard him for two years on CIEL-FM radio alongside Jean-Pierre Coallier.
The protector of actors
André Morissette had always dreamed of performing classic tragedies – his great theatrical passion – but life decided otherwise. This shy man has nevertheless managed to forge links with numerous performers and designers over the years. Her quiet strength shields the anxiety that grips the artists certain evenings, as explained by actress Sylvie Drapeau, a regular at the Center du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui.
PHOTO OLIVIER PONTBRIAND, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The actress Sylvie Drapeau knows André Morissette well.
André is a discreet, faithful and constant man. We actors often arrive at the theater in a feverish state. His way of welcoming us, his presence and his discreet friendship are very meaningful to us. He is one of those calm people you can turn to.
Sylvie Drapeau
Léane Labrèche-Dor performed two plays at the Center du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui, in addition to hosting a benefit evening. This was enough to recognize André Morissette as “an almost paternal figure”. “He has the humanity to understand the psychoses of the actresses before the premiere! He is a kind man who also understands very well the sacred side of theater. »
The man of all generals
As a lover of all things theatrical, this madman of Molière and Racine made it his duty to attend the generals of all – yes, all of them! – the plays presented at the Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui. “To know what the public is going to see…” He has seen more than 275 pieces… at this institution alone!
Some affected him more than others. He thinks of 24 poses (portraits) by Serge Boucher. To Orphaned Muses by Michel Marc Bouchard. HAS Littoral by Wajdi Mouawad. And the musical comedy adaptation of Sisters-in-law by René Richard Cyr – “I even had the privilege of listening to the songs with the voice of Daniel Bélanger,” he emphasizes.
He also remembers seeing Jean-Louis Millette in The Dragonfly of Chicoutimi, while Larry Tremblay’s piece was presented in the small rehearsal room. “Mr. Millette was a magnificent person. »
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
André Morissette will regretfully leave his colleagues at the Center du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui.
André Morissette has an equal passion for student productions in which ushers sometimes participate, often enrolled in theater studies. He attends everyone’s shows, even in the smallest venues. “I see them evolve in their profession and I love it. It touches me to see former employees return to our stages as performers. The Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui is the place of first chance for many people. »
The theater on rue Saint-Denis was also the place of a certain self-discovery. He knows that his departure, scheduled for June 20, will be difficult for his tender heart. But he is calm. “I don’t want to do anything for six months. Afterwards, I’ll see. I will have more time for myself. Maybe I could play somewhere… I don’t know. I’m thinking. And there is no age for that. »
A look at four artistic directors
In 28 years, André Morissette has worked under four different artistic directors. Here are their memories of each and every one.
Michelle Rossignol (from 1989 to 1998)
PHOTO RÉMI LEMÉE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Michelle Rossignol
“Before working for her, I admired the actress she was. She was a theater rocker, with an extraordinary handshake! She knew where she was going. She ended her career as a director by playing in a play by Carole Fréchette about aging. It was bold. It looked like him. »
René Richard Cyr (from 1999 to 2004)
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
René Richard Cyr
“He was already a well-known actor and he brought a new dynamism. He wanted to get the theater back on its feet and succeeded. He directed, he acted… And it worked. People were coming for him! He also opened the doors of the theater to authors like Serge Boucher and Le Loup Bleu. He gave us another radiance. »
Marie-Thérèse Fortin (from 2004 to 2012)
PHOTO IVANOH DEMERS, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Marie-Thérèse Fortin
“Ella was a real mother for the theater! She is a woman who is close to the world, who loves people. She was refined in her choices, but daring too. It was she who took the chance to program the musical comedy Sisters-in-law. She was a unifier. »
Sylvain Bélanger (from 2012 to present)
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
Sylvain Bélanger
“For me it represents reflection, both on a human and political level. Sylvain is very connected to what is happening today, to current events. He brought young playwrights to the Center. He is not afraid to make the audience think. I don’t know if others could have done it as well as him. »