The 5th Edition of #Festithéâtrecréole: THEATER

Montreal – The CRÉO Theater Festival continues its second week with a program rich in talent from all corners of the world. Coordinated by Gaétan Nerland, the event stands out for its commitment to giving a voice to artists from the Creole diversity and promoting a culture shared by more than 15 million people across the globe.

“Our greatest mission is to ensure that Creole artists are seen and appreciated on stage, but also that they can make a living from their art,” explains Nerland. “We want the public to discover the immense talent that exists in our Black communities and to understand that Creole culture remains indivisible, no matter the distance.”

Among the artists welcomed this year, Haitian actor Joseph Gemar left a strong impression with his engaged play Psychoschizo. Currently a master’s student in political science in Toulouse, Gemar has also been a professional actor for over ten years. His work, of a socio-political nature, seeks to mirror the dramatic reality that Haiti is experiencing.

“Psychoschizo tells the story of a character who is believed to be crazy, but whose madness is only apparent,” he explains. “Through this role, I draw a parallel between individual madness and the socio-political situation of my country. The character experiences abandonment by society and political institutions, but he keeps hope that things will improve.”

The performance elicited a strong reaction from the audience, moved by the depth of the text and the authenticity of the interpretation. Gemar emphasizes that his choice of title was aimed at engaging Haitian youth and the diaspora: “I wanted to remind that when one has responsibilities, one must act as normal, conscious, and responsible individuals, rather than as people who go astray.”

With artists from Martinique, Guadeloupe, France, and elsewhere, the CRÉO Festival asserts itself as a space for dialogue, creativity, and engagement. More than just a cultural event, it becomes a vehicle for unity and an advocacy for a better future within Creole communities.