December 2018 - Page 3 of 3

The Team and Partners

To contact us

Vélo Théâtre
Pépinière d’entreprises
171 avenue Eugène Baudouin
84400 Apt (FRANCE)

+33 (0)4 90 04 85 25

Artistic, technical and administrative team

The Vélo Théâtre relies on the know-how, experiences and skills of permanent show professionals and many intermittent employees depending on the projects.

Accounts Sophie Delaye
Administration Laure Soutenet, Lauriane Rialhe
Artistic Direction Balthazar Daninos and Mickaël Chouquet
Artistic Team of the Velo Théâtre Company Fabien Cartalade (composition, music, interpretation), Tania Castaing (scenography, staging, interpretation), Charlot Lemoine (scenography, staging, interpretation), José Lopez (tour management, lighting creation, interpretation)
Communication & Public Relations Laurène Thébault
General Secretariat Charlène Chivard
Reception & Cooking Annie Pradel
Technical Management José Lopez, Jean-Michel Bourroux and Arnaud Bunel
Vélo Théâtre Company Touring Contact Aurélie Aloy

And we are grateful to all the volunteers who participate in the happy progression of Vélo Théâtre.

Board of the Association

President Benoît Fincker
Secretary Pierrot Marmet
Treasurer Grazziella Vegis

Professional Networks

Vélo Théâtre is a crossroad of creation, a place of life: multidisciplinary artists meet here on a daily basis. These informal meetings take place at the same time as public performances, but they also contribute to the creative and productive capacities of the place.

In its flexible and warm spaces, Vélo Théâtre hosts various professional meetings: puppetry (POLEM), local cultural (Research-Action for education to live shows in Vaucluse), etc. All these actions complement the other sides of the artistic policy, by promoting and spreading the supported productions in the professional environment, and by allowing the exchange of practices and the circulation of knowledge.

Vélo Théâtre is a member of several networks and professional initiatives, local and national.

A VENIR

www.themaa-marionnettes.com
“Les A Venir” propose creative projects to programming managers, and give artistic teams the opportunity to find additional support for the success of their show. Every two years, at the World Puppet Festival in Charleville-Mézières, 25 structures recognized by the State sponsor 12 creative teams over 4 days. Vélo Théâtre supports at least one project, and helps the artistic teams during this professional “showcase”. Coordinated by Themaa, this initiative is carried by theaters, festivals and places of companionship.

Coopérative OEuvrière de production

The “Coopérative OEuvrière de production” is an innovative initiative aimed at cooperation at the heart of and around artistic projects.

It is composed of Compagnie Théâtre inutile (Amiens – Hauts-de-France), La chambre d’eau (Le Favril – Hauts-de-France), Bouffou Théâtre (Hennebont – Bretagne), Vélo Théâtre (Apt – PACA), Pierre Tual (Bruxelles – Belgique), Guillaume Lecamus (Paris – Ile de France), Lucas Prieux (Nantes – Pays de la Loire), Le tas de sable CHES Panses vertes (Rivery – Hauts-de-France).

The “Coopérative Œuvrière de production” is co-financed by the FSE (European Social Fund) under the FEDER-FSE Operational Program in Hauts-de-France region.

This currently supports 3 productions in progress: “Still life” (directed by Stéphanie Saint Cyr Lariflette) ; “L’Eustache à la main” (directed by Guillaume Lecamus) ; “Castelets d’histoires pour demain” (proposal of Théâtre Inutile).

POLEM, group of actors of the puppet in PACA region

In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region there are a large number of artists and puppet companies, but not enough places dedicated to this art. This group is born from the need for more exchanges, mutualisation and mobilization within the profession, because the fields of Puppet and Object Theater are not sufficiently valued in the Regional public policies. The aim of this collaborative working group is to structure existing relationships that are too informal for the moment.

RÉVES, RÉseau Vauclusien pour l’Education au Spectacle

www.reseau-reves.org
In 2015-16 Vélo Théâtre took part in a Research-Action for education in live performances in Vaucluse. A collective reflection was conducted on the establishment of artistic education courses in Vaucluse, as part of the “Belle saison for childhood and youth”. This tool allows the creation of courses for the very young throughout their schooling and outside school time. Vélo Théâtre is a member of the REVEs network board.

THEMAA, National Association of Puppet Theaters and Associated Arts

www.themaa-marionnettes.com
Founded in 1992, THEMAA unites more than 300 members in France (artists, puppeteers, companies, theaters, researchers …) and represents the profession among communities and institutional decision-makers. The association organizes professional meetings, promotes the arts of puppetry with the help of national events, and publishes the specialized magazine MANIP.

TRAVERSES, network of places of diffusion in PACA region

Facebook Traverses PACA
The network “Traverses” unites 32 theaters in the region. The purpose of this grouping is not only to convey a common political speech, but also to structure the profession. Vélo Théâtre joined this network in September 2016 to promote exchanges around artists’ projects and the circulation of works.

TRIDANSE

Call for Projects 2020

As a regional residency program for choreographic companies, the Tridanse program was created with the joint objectives of:
– fostering the emergence of new forms of choreographic creation combining dance with other artistic practices: visual arts, circus, theater , philosophy, architecture, cinema, landscape …
– allowing the reflection, the action and the experimentation of other relations artist / public / teams of places
– to invent new modes of support for productions in progress.

This program is supported by four multidisciplinary structures in the PACA region: Le Citron Jaune, CNAR in Port Saint Louis (13), Le Vélo Théâtre (84), Le Théâtre Durance, Scène conventionnée in Chateau-Arnoux/Saint-Auban (04) and Le 3 bis f, contemporary arts place located in the psychiatric hospital Montperrin in Aix-en-Provence (13).

About us

The artistic Policy

The project of Vélo Théâtre,
through its own productions
as well as through the House of Artists for Object Theater, the Companionship and Crossing of the Arts
that it makes live,
is

TO MAKE OUR DAILY LIFE POETIC

BY SUPPORTING PRODUCTION, RESEARCH AND ARTISTIC EXPERIMENTATION

Our own productions

Vélo Théâtre is both the heart of the project, and the engine of many collaborations. It is part of a long-lasting relationship between many artists and a place. The vitality, the merry-go-round and the infusion of ideas between the different actions reinforce the overall plan. In its creative work, the Vélo Théâtre surrounds itself with a faithful team and works in other creators (musicians, visual artists, playwrights …).

The companionship

It is the support of an artist by another artist in the artistic, technical and administrative fields. Within the framework of a three-years agreement, this kind of long term support, without limiting itself to performing the production of a new show, deals with the whole development of the artist’s practice. The purpose of the companionship is to help young artists to improve their creative and writing skills, providing them with a space, allowing them to experiment, to test and to confront the public. This initiative is primarily designed for individual artists or companies working in the field of object and puppet theater, in a spirit of openness and crossover with other artistic languages. At most, two artists or companies can be supported for a period of three years. The Vélo Théâtre is among the eight companies commissioned for the companionship (LCMC) puppet object theater by the Ministry of Culture in France, thus offering a national network of exchanges and allowing circulations to artists-companions.

The artists-companions of Vélo Théâtre:

Elise Vigneron / Théâtre de l’Entrouvert / 2008-2011
Balthazar Daninos / Les Ateliers du Spectacle, groupe n+1 / 2011-2014
Yvan Corbineau / Le 7 au soir / 2014-2017
Stéphanie Saint-Cyr Lariflette / Chiendent Théâtre / 2015-2018
Clément Montagnier / TAC TAC / 2017-2019
Magali Rousseau / L’insolite mécanique / 2018-2021

Artistic residencies

A residence at Vélo Théâtre consists in housing an artist or a company for at least fifteen days, and in providing means that vary depending on the project. Residents benefit from the place in working order, technical support, accommodation and financial assistance for the duration of the stay, the amount of which is set according to annual budgets. The Vélo Théâtre team brings its artistic and administrative expertise, acquired through its experience as a company and a venue for shows. Residencies (on average 13 per year) are open to professional artists alone or in company (local, national or international). Vélo Théâtre considers productions and artists whose approach and philosophy are part of both the spirit of the place, but also in its overall artistic policy. Because of the proximity it has with the inhabitants, Vélo Théâtre organizes an exchange during rehearsals open to the public, as well as participative experiences with the spectators or presentation of work in progress at the end of the residency sessions.

Companies hosted in artistic residency at the Vélo Théâtre (non-exhaustive list …):

Anima Théâtre (PACA)
Compagnie Clair-obscur (PACA)
Compagnie Clandestine (PACA)
Compagnie de l’échelle (Occitanie)
Compagnie des Accès (PACA)
Compagnie Histoire De (PACA)
Espégéca (Occitanie)
Gare centrale (Belgique)
Inouï Productions (PACA)
L’atypique Cie (PACA)
L’insolite mécanique (Île-de-France)
L’oreille buissonnière (PACA)
La robe à l’envers (PACA)
Le Grand Manitou (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)
Les ateliers du spectacle (Île-de-France)
Lili désastres (Pays de la Loire)
[lodudo] produccion (Occitanie)
Morbus Théâtre (Île-de-France)
Naï No Productions (PACA)
Qui-Bout ! (PACA)
Shona Reppe Puppets (Écosse)
Subito Presto (PACA)
TAC TAC (Occitanie / PACA)
Teatro del Piccione (Italie)
Théâtre de l’Entrouvert (PACA)
Une idée dans l’air (PACA)

THROUGH A PROGRAM MAKING OBJECT THEATRE AND OTHER SHOWS ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC

The program at Vélo Théâtre concerns the repertoire of the company Vélo Théâtre, companies hosted in artistic residencies and artists-companions, but also remains open to any proposal in resonance with the overall artistic policy.

The program mixes avant-premières, productions in progress, transdisciplinary proposals and any other coherent work. Often the fruit of existing collaborations and partnerships with other structures, these proposals are aimed at all audiences, including children and their families. Particularly at the Greli Grelo Biennale.

The presence of creators in the daily life of the Pays d’Apt-Luberon and its inhabitants gives to artists an important place in the heart of the city.

BY PROMOTING ARTISTIC PRACTICE

Through unique artistic and poetic approaches, Vélo Théâtre intends to bring a new perspective on the city, and allow people to build their place as citizens. Theatrical forms contain a political dimension that must be promoted. Vélo Théâtre pays particular attention to addressing the so-called “priority” social group of the territory, and especially to the youngest.

The aim is to involve, through the children, the whole family. At the nursery, school, college and high school or out of school time, the presence of artists in the place develops creative actions always in motion. The many partnerships and collaborations woven over the years, with local associations, social and cultural structures, contribute to put the forces in common, and to design more ambitious plans.

About us

Object Theater

Since 1981, the Vélo Théâtre offers shows based on the image. Its founders, visual artists Tania Castaing and Charlot Lemoine, believe, with other creators, that if the actor can interpret a word, a sentence, he can also interpret an object, a series of objects. The emotion is created through the fragile relationship established with the objects he brings to life on stage. The public is invited to enter into the intimacy of this relationship. A new vocabulary, a new mode of expression has emerged: Object Theater, of which Tania Castaing and Charlot Lemoine are among the precursors in Europe. Their first show takes place on an old English delivery bike. Very quickly this show involving miniature objects and puppets becomes a show of reference and gives its name to the company “Vélo Théâtre”.

From the beginning, while they are based in Maine-et-Loire, and from 1985 in Vaucluse, this field of expression allows “the Vélos” and their poetic universe to gain international recognition and to travel the world with their productions. In a vast theatrical landscape, the Vélo Théâtre has imposed a strong artistic signature, unique in France and in Europe.

Object Theater, a recent artistic language at the crossroads of the visual arts and the stage, it represents a contemporary field of creation and an exceptional pedagogical vector with multiple and varied applications. The new dramaturgies associated with all types of “puppets”, the manipulation of materials, objects and images have transformed the prejudices that sometimes suffered this art.

Visible manipulation, object theater, or digital arts are radically different from traditional theatrical aesthetics. These practices have favored the emergence of a new public and a renewed artistic field. The artist is here an actor-performer, often a director. He extends his gesture to all forms of live performance to transpose it into a singular art.

In 1992, a new production in progress led the “Vélos” to rent an old candied fruit factory in the city of Apt: it was the beginning of a pilot experiment associating researches, artistic residencies, experimentation and diffusion of shows. The city of Apt shows its willingness to support the Vélo Théâtre in its projects on this site by signing a multi-year convention. It is soon joined by the State, the PACA Region and the Department of Vaucluse. The Vélo Théâtre becomes Regional Center for Cultural Development.

In 2017, the Vélo Théâtre becomes the first Object Theatre “Scène Conventionnée” of Provence-Alpes Côte-d’Azur. Awarded by the Ministry of Culture, this recognition highlights the actions in a particular artistic field. For “the Vélos”, it is an encouragement to develop Arts crossing and to support artists who make and experiment new works.