Marie Pier Lajoie finds her stage at Théâtre de lÎle

Tashi Farmilo

Playwright Marie Pier Lajoie has been officially confirmed as the recipient of the Théâtre de l’Île’s third annual creative residency, following a City Council meeting held on August 26 in Gatineau. The announcement, which had been subject to Council approval, was affirmed during the meeting by municipal councillor Isabelle N. Miron, Chair of the Arts, Culture, Letters and Heritage Commission.

Lajoie, a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Acting Conservatory, is both an actress and author with a strong passion for physical theatre, circus arts and visual arts. Her project, Point Némo, was selected for its artistic innovation, emotional depth and resonance with the residency’s objectives. A theatrical meditation on trauma and identity, the play follows Rosie and Christophe, two individuals grappling with the aftermath of abuse, who take shelter in a bathroom as a hurricane bears down. The space, reimagined as a stranded space station in the eye of the storm, becomes a symbolic theatre of memory, fear and renewal. The production blends elements of dreamscape and stark realism to explore personal reconstruction and the liminal nature of healing.

Through the Théâtre de l’Île residency, Lajoie will receive both financial and logistical support over two phases. The first, commencing in September, includes 150 hours of access to the theatre’s facilities, mentorship from L’Avant-première and technical resources. The second phase provides additional rehearsal time, promotional support and public presentation opportunities at Espace René-Provost. The initiative is part of Gatineau’s 2024–2034 Cultural Policy, which seeks to elevate local theatre by fostering research, experimentation and visibility for emerging work.

The creative team assembled for Point Némo includes Lisa L’Heureux for dramaturgical guidance and artistic direction, Marie-Thé Morin as staging mentor, Lana Morton on gestural design and Emilio Sebastiao handling scenography and lighting. Actor Bénédicte Bélizaire is also confirmed as part of the cast.

In her remarks to Council, Miron underscored the residency’s broader civic significance. “Creative residencies are essential because they give our artists a space to create locally, works that we’ll be able to admire at the Théâtre de l’Île,” she said. “We’re truly pleased, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing the results of this third residency.”

This residency follows previous editions awarded to Haïti: l’île des esclaves by Fâcheux Théâtre in 2023 and Comme des bruissements by Voyageurs Immobiles in 2024. It marks a growing tradition of support for original, introspective theatre created in and for Gatineau.