Rehersal, photo : Robert Etcheverry

Under the direction of Ginelle Chagnon and with the help of Christine Charles, Maya Ostrofsky, Daniel Soulières, Tassy Teekman and Jean Gervais (all former collaborators of Perreault), twenty-five students performed the work of Jean-Pierre Perreault in the form of the reconstructed and adapted pieces Continental (1973), Huit minutes (1982) and Dernière Paille (1977).

The choreographic program was designed for the specific makeup of the group of students enrolled in the course Spectacle chorégraphique dirigé II (24 female students and one male student) and to provide individual, precise and valuable learning experiences. In addition, the titles selected had to provide a window onto the little-known early work of Jean-Pierre Perreault, seldom performed in Montreal, with which he sketched out the choreographic signature he became known for in the 1980s and beyond.

Against images of the rehearsals, Ginelle Chagnon explains the work of adapting and reconstructing the piece Dernière Paille and discusses the challenges encountered by the students in performing the work.

Putting into Practice: Working on Stage

The first time on stage: the students become familiar with the set design for Dernière Paille and learn how the ramp, a favourite stage tool of Perreault’s, is used.

Artistic Collaboration

Collaborators on the project Christine Charles, Tassy Teekman, Daniel Soulières and Jean Gervais talk about Perreault’s aesthetic and the work of reconstruction with the students.

Suzanne Desbiens, photo : Robert Etcheverry

During rehearsals, the studio also became a creative workshop for the author and journalist Guylaine Massoutre and the visual artist Suzanne Desbiens, who seized the opportunity to take inspiration from the work of Jean-Pierre Perreault.