Théâtre du Rêve (Theatre of the Dream), Atlanta’s unique French-language theatre, rings in our Silver Anniversary season with Virtual Salon performances of 25 voices from around the Francophone world.
Théâtre du Rêve (TdR) began as a single production in 1996, and grew into a company that has collaborated with artists from France, Canada, Belgium, and Haiti. The seed was planted when founder Carolyn Cook discovered that fellow Atlanta actor Chris Kayser spoke French.
“I’d dreamed of doing a play in French since college, and I’d never managed to find a way, so I decided to produce something myself,” Cook said. “It was a crazy idea. We didn’t even know if there would be an audience for French-language theatre in Atlanta.”
That first production, in January 1996, was Ionesco’s La Leçon (The Lesson). Audiences responded enthusiastically. “It was supposed to be a one-shot deal,” Cook recalls, “but the final performance sold out, and patrons asked for more!”
For this 25th anniversary season, we’re eager to invite audiences to explore poets, playwrights, novelists and thinkers who exemplify the diversity of the French-speaking world. The company will produce a series of virtual Salons, with readings, performances, and discussions of work from across the globe. This online series, Vingt-cinq sur Vingt-cinq (25/25), broadens TdR’s repertoire by presenting work from Francophone Africa, North America, the Carribean and more.
Responding to the national conversation for greater awareness in American theatre, the staff, board and artists of Théâtre du Rêve believe that celebrating the world’s cultures and building deeper connection with the greater Atlanta community can indeed coincide. We look forward to sharing another chapter with TdR fans both old and new!
Click on the dates below to register for each Salon:
SEPT. 13, 2020: The Harlem-Paris Connection: Paris, Negritude, and the Harlem Renaissance
NOV. 8, 2020: French in North America: Quebec, Acadia and Cajun Country
JAN. 10, 2021: Caribbean Cruise: A theatrical tour of Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Haiti
MAR. 14, 2021: Casablanca to Cairo: Exploring North Africa and the Middle East
MAY 16, 2021: Modern West Africa: Francophone African Voices of the 21st Century
All events on Zoom at 3:00pm EST.