About
Théâtre du Rêve – Your artistic connection to the French speaking world.
MISSION: The mission of Théâtre du Rêve, Atlanta's unique French-language theatre company, is to bring the language and cultures of the French-speaking world to life on the American stage. We strive to create a true dialogue between American and French-speaking artists.
Theatre du Reve also strives to bring live theater and the French language and Francophone culture to students of all ages. With a team of highly professional, bilingual theater artists, the company has performed classical and contemporary plays and company-created productions, playing to sold out houses and to crowded museum theaters. We have served over 8,000 students from across the Southeast United States in recent years through our workshops, student matinee performances and educational programming for the High Museum of Art. We continue to develop new workshops and residencies to bring into the classroom, in addition to engaging and enriching theatre to extend learning to outside of the classroom!
We are committed to serving a wider audience because we feel strongly that Francophone theatre is not simply for French speakers. It is a strong artistic heritage shared and appreciated by all lovers of art. We have developed several innovations over the years to make our work more accessible. Beginning in 2008, we have produced bilingual performances that integrate both English and French in the text or use projected subtitles. We believe that neither language nor age nor disability should prevent anyone from enjoying our productions!
Thank you for taking the time to visit us! Please consider promoting cross-cultural, exciting theatrical work: MAKE A DONATION!
PRESS CORNER:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Current through Feb. 27, 2011
Contact: Elizabeth Hartnett, General Director
hartnett.elizabeth@gmail.com
404.875.3829
Théâtre du Rêve invites audiences to follow “The Red Balloon (Le Ballon Rouge)” and experience the magic of childhood in the unpredictable streets of Paris.
Atlanta’s unique French language theatre mounts a new stage adaptation of the unforgettable and award-winning film and children’s book “The Red Balloon.” Director Park Cofield’s adaptation bursts onto the stage in a bi-lingual, multi-textured production that features animation, actors, puppets, music and a children’s ensemble of young Atlanta talent.
An unlikely and ultimately poignant relationship develops between a young boy and a magical red balloon that has a mind of its own. Their friendship bonds them together through the streets and neighborhoods of Paris to discover the joys and dangers that wait there. This is the story in the enchanting 1956 French film that inspired a beloved children’s book and is expanded and re-told in a new adaptation at Atlanta’s Theatre du Reve. The tale comes to life onstage with actors, stop-motion animation, shadow, string and rod puppets, a one-man band, a 9-year-old accordion player, a children’s ensemble and possibly the first ever furniture ballet on an Atlanta stage!
This playful and yet profound production explores the both the friendly and freeing aspects of childhood while significantly addressing a enduring problem for kids of all ages: bullying (a subject that will be discussed in talk back sessions with school groups attending the play).
The boy and the red balloon do more than just explore Paris in their adventures together, they learn about life.
Park Krausen, Theatre du Reve’s artistic director was excited when director, puppeteer and theatrical artist Park Cofield approached her with the idea for this production, "Park Cofield approached TdR a few years ago with a wonderful idea and a fabulous story board of a project for actors of all ages, puppets and a live musician. This was a stage adaptation, a retelling of the story of the beloved classic film and book, The Red Balloon by Albert Lamorisse. He said that he was dying to do the project and that our theatre company was the right fit," she says. "I had wanted to work with him… and this seemed so right. At Theatre du Reve, we are always looking for fantastic stories or theatrical pieces that can reach all ages and touch audiences that don’t necessarily speak French. This is to balance out the daring, contemporary Francophone work we have been doing over the past few years. In this production we have cast 8 children between the ages of 8 and thirteen and hired young theater artists in their early 20's to be mentored by our professional company. We are thrilled to celebrate and mentor younger artists at Theatre du Reve."
Notes Park Cofield, who adapted the script for this production and also serves as director of the play, "This is a story about friendship and loyalty. It is also about jealousy, independence, and the playfulness of childhood. This project serves as an opportunity to reach new family audiences and seeks to expand the mission of the company. I have always wanted this to be a family show. It is appropriate for ages 4 to 104!"
An Atlanta native educated at Emerson College in Boston who has traveled extensively in Europe, Cofield’s vision of The Red Balloon became what he calls "an interlineated bilingual performance." "The English will explain the French," he says, "and the French will explain the English. Action, physical comedy, and visual puns will also provide context for the French."
Cofield says of the play, "I want to make Albert Lamorisse proud!"
Little known fact: Albert Lamorisse invented the board game Risk. Director Cofield has hidden the game in a scene in the play!
The Red Balloon runs Feb. 16- 27 at the Back Stage Theatre at 7Stages Performing Arts Center, 1105 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307. Tickets are $12-$25 and can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com or by calling 404-875-3829.
Details
"The Red Balloon (Le Ballon Rouge)" by Albert Lamorisse
Stage adaptation and direction by Park Cofield
February 16-27, 2011
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 10am
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays at 3pm
More about Theatre du Reve's production of "The Red Balloon"
Musician and composer Christopher Mont is the musical director and also performs in the show. He received a Meet the Composer grant from MetLife Creative Connections program specifically for this project.
The title character, the Red Balloon, will be brought to life as a rod puppet, a marionette, and with various helium effects. Five unique versions of the balloon will be used in different situations during the production.
There will be a duet between Chris Mont as the street musician, and Flora McGirt (a 9 year old member of the children's ensemble). She will play the accordion and he will play the chord organ. Flora is the youngest member of the Atlanta Accordion Club!
Cast members are Leandre Thivierge, Park Krausen, Christof Veillon, Chris Mont, Jeffrey C. Zwartjes, Alicia V. Wilson, and the Children's Ensemble
The designers for the productions are Roy H. Howington (scenic design), Bridgette Lacher (costume design), Jessica Coale (lighting design), the puppet design/construction and stop motion animation is by Park Cofield. The Stage Manager is Jennifer Brown.
Theatre du Reve's license to present Albert Lamorisse's, THE RED BALLOON, in this adaptation from the book and film of the same name is granted by arrangement with Rosica Colin Limited, London.
Important Links:
www.theatredureve.com
www.parkcofield.com
www.brownpapertickets.com
