7/2/2024
Montreal, February 6, 2024 – After several months of active promotion, the Fondation Dynastie is delighted to have received more than thirty applications for its new Rire en scène program, a unique initiative in Quebec! In partnership with Just for Laughs and the National School of Humor (ÉNH) , this free, intensive 9-week training program is dedicated to the development of aspiring comedians from Black communities who wish to pursue a career in this field.
“It’s incredible to see the enthusiasm surrounding Rire en Scène! I am deeply happy to be able to contribute to the development of Black talent in the field of comedy, thanks to our dedicated partners. I look forward to the positive impact of this training and the many opportunities that will be available to this cohort.” - shares Tracy Paulotte, Programs and Outreach Manager at the Fondation Dynastie .
Selecting the candidates was undoubtedly a significant challenge, as they all possessed considerable potential. The selection committee therefore focused on individuals who demonstrated strong charisma and dynamism in their introductory videos, who genuinely dreamed of making a living as stand-up comedians, and who were committed to taking their talent to the next level. The result: a first cohort that brings together candidates with more extensive professional experience, mid-career comedians, and a few amateurs.
Drumroll, please… the selected participants are:
Vanessa Destiné: a journalist by training, she has worked for several Quebec media outlets (radio, television and web) as a columnist and host. She wishes to develop another facet of her personality in order to tell stories using more humor;
Miselaine Duval: originally from Mauritius and self-taught, she has been making her way in the comedy scene since 1995, presenting comedy projects in French and Creole, including her one-woman show . She would like to win back the French public with her stand-up comedy and acting talents.
Sheena Fins: a graduate of INIS in screenwriting, eager for improvisation for 20 years and known for the play Rapide et pas dangereux presented at Just for Laughs, Sheena aspires to perfect her stand-up game;
Antoine Hébert: passionate about improvisation and theatre, stand-up is a new way for him to express his personality;
Uncle Phil: a bilingual and self-taught comedian for 6 years, he took off in the industry with the Bad Boys du Rire group and presented a sketch at Zoofest in 2023;
Anna Beaupré Moulounda: a trained actress recognized in the industry, she notably won the Actress of the Year award at the Gala Dynastie In 2023. Humor has always been one of her passions, and she even produced a one-woman show. This program is a return to her roots and a great challenge!
Julie Simon: trained as a dentist, she has been involved in comedy for less than a year and dreams only of really developing her style and voice;
Réginald St-Eloy: a comedian for almost 8 years, he has had several stage experiences including one with Eddy King and the Bad Boys du Rire group at the Just for Laughs Festival. Progressing in the field is a deep desire for him;
Samuel Tingombay: a fan of stand-up comedy since forever, in 2018 he began to take his passion seriously thanks to his weekly comedy night at the Maquis Yasolo restaurant; stand-up is his way of surpassing himself;
Alexandre Willybiro: presenter, influencer and comedian in his spare time known on social media for his comedy sketches, he has many strings to his bow, but he lacks that of stand-up professional which he wishes to acquire with this program.
The training, set up thanks to the expertise of the National School of Humor, includes writing and act creation workshops, as well as mentoring sessions provided by professionals in the field to allow, in particular, one of the participants to live an incredible experience by presenting an act during a show at the Just for Laughs Festival this summer.
The candidates will have the opportunity to be mentored by inspiring instructors such as Garihanna Jean-Louis, Xavier Boisrond (ÉNH), Maryvonne Cyr (ÉNH), and Luc Boily (ÉNH). Eddy King and Pascal Mailloux will also be part of the adventure as mentors, and Richardson Zéphir will be a special guest to discuss his unique journey in the world of comedy.
There Fondation Dynastie We thank everyone who applied to this program. We are working on developing other initiatives to support unsuccessful applicants and those interested in this field. More details will be shared later.
For more details, visit the programs page at: https://www.fondationdynastie.com/programmation/rire-en-scene
-30 -
ABOUT THE FONDATION DYNASTIE
There Fondation Dynastie The Foundation works towards a more equitable and meaningful representation of Black communities in the arts, culture, and media. Through various cultural mediation initiatives, the organization seeks to break down barriers and create opportunities that promote the visibility and recognition of talent from these communities and reduce inequalities in the representation of Black communities in the cultural and media sectors. The Foundation also supports the development and professionalization of emerging talent.
Source :
Fondation Dynastie
Bellande Montour |
Head of Communications and Marketing
commdirection@fondationdynastie.com
Press relations:
Danny Payne
Purpose of Being Media
C.: 514 621-8657
info@raisondetremedia.ca