Théâtre Cercle Molière’s Geneviève Pelletier leaving

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This article was published 23/11/2024 (318 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After 12 years as artistic director and executive director of Théâtre Cercle Molière, Geneviève Pelletier will step down from her position in July.

“Geneviève’s departure marks a significant milestone in the history of Théâtre Cercle Molière,” board chairperson Raïssa Bado said in a release sent out Thursday afternoon. “Her visionary leadership and commitment to cultural diversity have transformed our institution into a true leader. We are deeply grateful for her outstanding contribution and wish her the very best in her future endeavours.”

Under Pelletier’s leadership, the theatre has expanded its programming to reach well beyond its home in St. Boniface, producing collaborative work with theatre and arts communities in Quebec, France, Morocco, Guinea and the Ivory Coast while embracing the growing diversity of St. Boniface’s francophone community.

Pelletier, a Red River Métis actor, has helped bring dozens of creative projects to local audiences during her tenure, and last year, co-directed (with Krista Jackson) an acclaimed adaptation of Manitoban author Margaret Laurence’s The Diviners at the Stratford Festival, written by Yvette Nolan and Vern Thiessen.

“This marks the end of a chapter, but it also signifies the beginning of a new era for Théâtre Cercle Molière,” Pelletier said in the company’s release. “These past 12 years have been among the most enriching of my career. I have had the privilege of working with exceptional artists and contributing to the growth of a theatre that reflects the richness and complexity of our community.”

When she took on the dual position of artistic and executive director in 2012, Pelletier took over for Roland Mahé, who had led the company since 1968, when he took over for Pauline Boutal. Between Mahé, Boutal and Pelletier, the company has had only three artistic directors since 1940, when Boutal took the reins of a troupe that was then known as Le Cercle Molière.

The company’s board of directors is set to launch an open recruitment process to select Pelletier’s replacement as artistic director, with the company’s current administrative director, Ramatoulaye Cherif, set to work as co-executive director with the successful candidate.

Théâtre Cercle Molière is currently in its 99th season, with Bertrand Nayet’s Under the Linden Trees on stage until Nov. 30.

ben.waldman@winnipegfreepress.com