Blog
2012-13 Season Review
Théâtre la Seizième is proud to announce that its 38th season was a very successful one. A higher number of shows were presented, attendance went up, and the level of audience satisfaction remained very high. The 2012-2013 season, launched in conjunction with the company’s new logo last September, featured four mainstage shows, one all-ages production, and one production for young audiences.
Seizième’s mainstage season recorded its highest regular-season attendance ever. More than 1200 francophones and francophiles visited Studio 16 to discover the universes of Porc-épic, Yellow Moon and Écume. To this number we can another 500 spectators for La face cachée de la lune, from Robert Lepage, and Statu Quo, by Gilles Poulin-Denis, the two optional productions offered with the regular season package. “The increase in attendance is due in part to an increase in the francophile clientele, attracted by our performances with surtitles, and to an increasing interest for local productions. We’re realizing that more and more people are interested in French-language artistic work from Vancouver. It’s very stimulating for both the company and the artists,” notes Craig Holzschuh, Théâtre la Seizième’s Artistic and Managing Director.
Statu Quo by Gilles Poulin-Denis will tour in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and Yukon in 2014. Photo : Cory Haas, Marie-Claire Marcotte and Katherine Gauthier © Esther Duquette
Théâtre la Seizième’s productions (Porc-épic, by David Paquet, and Statu Quo, by Gilles Poulin-Denis) garnered a total of 8 nominations and three awards at the Jessie Richardson’s Awards. These nominations echo the positive comments received from the general public. In 2012-2013, more than 9 out of 10 people said they either liked or loved what they saw.
The increase in attendance is evidenced by a very high room occupancy number: 94%. In 2012-2013, 12 of 18 performances were sold out. A situation currently being examined by the company’s Board of Directors. “Increasing audience capacity is crucial at this stage in the company’s development. We want to adequately serve the province’s francophone and francophile communities, and in the current context, where funding is harder and harder to obtain, it is crucial in order to increase the revenues generated by ticket sales and sponsorships,’ explains Véronique St-Antoine, President of the Board of Directors.
Again this season, Théâtre la Seizième fulfilled its mandate for young people with school-based Dramatic Arts workshops and performances, reaching 15,000 students and adults, principally in British Columbia, but also in Saskatchewan, where Statu Quo was presented 13 times. The number of workshops offered was an area that saw a significant increase in activity in 2012-2013.
2013-2014 Season Launch
The 2013-2014 Season Launch will be held on September 5th. The company’s Artistic Director, Craig Holzschuh, promises a well-balanced season with a few surprises. “We’re looking forward to unveiling the new season to both our subscriber base and the general public. We’ll be presenting, amongst others, an optional international-caliber show in collaboration with the PuSh Festival and SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs.” For its in-house production, the company has chosen a romantic comedy that will allow it to pursue some of the themes and genres broached by Porc-épic, by David Paquet, in 2012.
A major tour also figures to be a part of the 2013-2014 season. Statu Quo, by Gilles Poulin-Denis, a show created through Seizième’s Dramaturgical Development Program, will be presented at the National Arts Centre (NAC) in Ottawa, at the Rencontre théâtre ados in Laval, at the Cercle Molière in Winnipeg, as well as at the Yukon Arts Centre in Whitehorse during spring 2014. “We’re thrilled to be showcasing the talent of the francophones of British Columbia throughout Canada, and on some magnificent stages, as well,” adds President Véronique St-Antoine.
