Research summary
Canada’s French-language minorities have expressed hopes and fears surrounding the modernization of the Official Languages Act, which turned 50 in 2019. Although there have been all manner of crises, Dr. Nicole Nolette, Canada Research Chair in Minority Studies, prefers to celebrate the moments of joy and solidarity proposed by francophone theatre artists in Canada.
Nolette and her research team are seeking a greater understanding of theatre work within Canada’s official language minorities. They plan to compile, describe and analyze utopian experiences and representations of franco-Canadian minorities and to document and develop a community network for exchanging knowledge, sharing expertise and promoting French Canadian artists. They are also developing new conceptual and methodological frameworks that can be applied to systemic changes in minority-focused theatre education in Canada. Additoinally, they will create a space for accessible, bilingual teaching resources. Their work will improve working conditions for minority artists and educators as well as learning conditions for minority students.