— ABOUT THE PROJECT

Growing up in Ottawa, I moved around a lot, which made it awfully difficult to create and maintain relationships with folks in the neighborhoods I inhabited. Add to that a set of overly protective immigrant parents and an introverted personality, and you’ve got a perfect combination for isolation from my surroundings. In today’s current climate, it is more important than ever to truly see each other and create spaces that foster interdependence.I’m starting to understand the importance and vital necessity of building relationships and fostering organic solidarity to those that are in proximity to me. The alleys of Montreal are magical spaces that offer that possibility and I want to take advantage of that. I intend to create an in situ theater experience that fosters resilience and centers around connections. I want to facilitate a 30 hour residency that culminates in a presentation for and by the inhabitants of the (St-grégoire/Laurier) alley in which I reside. I will reach out to the community through flyers and once the participants have been decided upon, they will be divided into intergenerational groups who will be tasked to create a 10 minute piece based on the theme of organic solidarity

— BIOGRAPHY

Bénédicte Bélizaire (Acting, 2024) Bénédicte Bélizaire is an actor hailing from the French Antilles Island of Haiti, raised in Ottawa and based in Montreal. She is a trilingual (Haitian Creole, French, English) theatre maker with an insatiable curiosity and a desire to make theatre that is bold and innovative.

Bénédicte has over a decade of experience working as an actor on screen and on stage. Her recent film and TV credits include: L’Académie (Super Écran), The Bold Type (Freeform), Amélie et Compagnie (TFO), Féminin/Féminin (Web), 30 Vies (Radio-Canada). Theatre credits include Strata Inc.(Undercurrents), Princesse de Personne (La catapulte), How Black Mothers Say I Love You (GCTC), A Christmas Carol (NAC).

While training at the National Theatre School of Canada, Bénédicte has worked with inspiring artists including Jackie Maxwell, Rebecca Harper, Jessica B. Hill, Rebecca Northan, Ruth Madoc-Jones, Tim Welham, Harveen Sandhu, Nancy Benjamin, Jonathan Patterson and many more. She has honed her skills in dance, movement, music, text analysis, voice and stage performance. Bénédicte is thrilled to step back into the professional field with an open heart and determined spirit