Theatre of Cruel Derision

by Guy Régis Jr.

In 2001, under the impetus of Guy Régis Jr., Mouvement NOUS, a laboratory for theatrical experimentation in Port-au-Prince, began working outside conventional spaces, in the streets, university courtyards, public markets and cemeteries.

The approach is to bring actors-citizens to the people, in theatrical forms influenced by Meyerhold's theories of bio-mechanics and his theatre of convention, Antonin Artaud's theatre of cruelty, and above all by rara (a spectacular musical form of wandering that comes from the Taïnos, the Indigenous population of the Island of Ayiti). 

At the end of these laboratory periods, a form was born, the theatre of cruel derision; it is refined, ritualized, and the verb chanted. The texts reflect the social, economic and political concerns of the company's members. After four years of research and experimentation, the show "Service Violence Série", performed indoors and outdoors, was conceived. It was widely emulated in Haiti, and went on to enjoy international success at the Théâtre National de Bruxelles, the Liège Festival, the Festival des Francophonies en Limousin, the Dominican Republic, Georgetown University in Washington D.C., and many more. 

https://www.guyregisjunior.com/terre-cri-effarement  

This workshop will be held in French.

Guy Régis Jr.

Author and director

Guy Régis Jr is a writer, theatre director and filmmaker. Many of his works, which include poetry, prose and much theatre, have been translated into several languages. He is the winner of the ETC Beaumarchais prize and the Jean-Brierre poetry prize. A translator into Creole of Albert Camus, Maurice Maeterlinck, Marcel Proust and Bernard-Marie Koltès, Guy Régis Jr has also directed short experimental films. In 2001, he founded the NOUS Théâtre company, which shook up the codes of contemporary theatre in Haiti, notably with the creation of Service Violence Série in 2003. He went on to direct numerous plays, both by other authors (Max Frisch's Monsieur Bonhomme et les incendiaires in 2005; Dezafi, adapted from Frankétienne's novel in 2015; ... ) and his own texts (Moi, fardeau inhérent, in 2010; De toute la terre le grand effarement, in 2011; Reconstruction(s), in 2017; Men tonton makout vle tounen, in 2020; ...). His work is presented in Haiti, France and internationally (Belgium, Hungary, USA, Brazil, Italy, Togo, Congo, etc.). In addition to his creative role, he is actively involved in the development of the performing arts in Haiti. From 2012 to 2014, he directed the theatre section of the École Nationale des Arts d'Haïti. And since January 2014 he has been Artistic Director of the Association 4 Chemins, which runs the performing arts festival of the same name.

Guy Régis Jr was named Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2017 and Officier des Arts et des Lettres in 2021. He is a 2021-2022 resident at the Villa Médicis, Académie de France in Rome.

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The TCM Theatre School offers a variety of courses and workshops for children and adults who are looking to exercise their creative muscles. Through the exploration of various aspects of theatre, participants discover how theatre can develop their openness, collaboration, self-confidence, and empathy. Wherever you are in your artistic journey, all are welcome!