As part of its 2020-2021 season unveiling, Youtheatre – Quebec’s oldest theatre for young audiences (TYA) and the only bilingual TYA company in Canada – announces the production of a french translation world premiere and a groundbreaking online portal that will offer some of the company’s most exciting productions for young audiences, reimagined in a digital format and accessible online.
YOUDIGITAL – AN INNOVATIVE ONLINE PLATFORM
For the past ten years, Youtheatre has pushed the limits of theatre for young audiences by exploring new technologies both on and off the stage. Moving beyond static archival recordings, YouDigital brings the magic of live performance to the screen in an innovative new hybrid form that dynamically incorporates the camera into the staging. Filmed with a mobile camera in a single take, these digital adaptations provide a fascinating new point of view through the eyes of the characters while preserving the liveliness of the theatrical experience.
The new platform will provide for insightful teaching toolkits, roundtable discussions with the artists, backstage tours of sets, digital study guides, and opportunities for live-streamed talk backs with creative teams. For both distance learners as well as schools outside of urban centres, the flexible access of YouDigital is an opportunity to bring young audiences in on the magic of theatre.
TWO DIGITAL PRODUCTIONS FOR TEENS
Along with the launch of the breakthrough digital platform, Youtheatre also announces the two productions that it will be presenting this season: Pandora, written by Sarah Berthiaume and translated by Nadine Desrochers, and the French world premiere of J’ai jamais…, written by Rhiannon Collett and translated by Pénélope Bourque. In addition to distance learners and schools, public audiences will now also be able to explore these new digital creations.
Pandora
FOR TEENS
Presented by YouDigital Written by Sarah Berthiaume and translated by Nadine Desrochers Starring National Theatre School graduates Cara Rebecca and Gabriel Richardson
Winner of the Public Choice Award in 2015 from the Theatre Reader (Toronto)
When 16 year-old Pandora follows her curiosity online, the world of online porn unfolds before her. Conflicted yet drawn in by what she sees, Pandora begins to feel the impact on her real-world relationships. Pandora explores themes of shame, identity, and digital literacy for ages 13-17.
J'ai jamais
FOR TEENS
Live Performance of the French World Premiere
Written by Rhiannon Collett and translated by Pénélope Bourque
Starring Éléonore Loiselle and directed by Véa
META Award for Outstanding New Text (2019)
Rhiannon Collett nominated for META Award for Outstanding Emerging Artist (2019)
Kate and Sam are best friends, but there’s tension building in their relationship. Their friendship takes an unexpected turn on a summer evening when their actions tear a hole in reality. In the aftermath Sam is left to navigate her sense of self and sense of justice and to wonder if any of us are truly worthy of forgiveness.
Photos: Robert Desroches