L'Atelier presents scenes from classical French plays

The Rocky Common Room transformed into a grand French theater Wednesday evening as L'Atelier, also known as the French Theater Workshop, presented its first Cours Publique of the year. And with "un, deux, trois, top!" the first performance was under way.

Members of the troop performed 12 scenes from various classical French plays, ranging from excerpts from Moliere's "Tartuffe" to Racine's "Phedre." From pure comedy to dramatic tragedy, the actors filled the towering room with emotion and passion perfectly suited to the French language.

The audience, including students in French classes, French professors and members of the wider Princeton community, responded with enthusiasm throughout the two-hour performance while members of L'Atelier supported their fellow performances.

After introducing each piece in his commanding voice, director Florent Masse with anticipation watched his students perform, subtly gesturing with them as they delivered their lines and carefully listening to their articulation of each word.

Including 37 students, L'Atelier represents students of all language abilities, some native speakers of the language and others currently enrolled in beginning courses. What they share is a common appreciation of the language and, through L'Atelier, an understanding of French theater.

Though the performance represents weeks of preparation, it is clear that the students, both undergraduates and graduates, are dedicated to the group.

"There is camaraderie with everyone," Aaron Cooper '05 said.

The students meet each Wednesday in the Rocky Common room since the start of the semester, lining up in rows to work on their "gymnastique vocale," projecting their voices as they practice pronunciation and diction, critiquing each other as they continually improve their scenes — and learning how to walk and move as French actors.

The students additionally meet individually with Masse to perfect their scenes and further develop the characters they are portraying.

Masse, who was a student at the Lille National Theater in France, studied under French directors from the Conservatoire in Paris.

His strong interest in American theatrics inspired him to accept an international fellowship at Amherst University, where he first developed the L'Atelier program five years ago before coming to Princeton.

With the support of the French department as well as the Center for French Studies, Masse has expanded L'Atelier and is currently working with the Italian department on an Italian production to be performed in February.

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The French Theater Workshop is patterned after the Conservatoire method of training — a "Petit Conservatoire" — allowing the students "to get into the texture and flair of the French culture" and the audience to "travel to French theater," Masse said.

Masse said he believes L'Atelier instills confidence in speaking French as "the students become French."

"It is more than the recreation of an ambiance. It is authentic French theater," he said. As the students explore theater, they are constantly challenged. "I am always pushing the envelope," said Masse, "but L'Atelier is a constant work in progress."

That progress will be displayed in late April when L'Atelier will present its spring performance. Until then, "Il y a encore du travail," said Masse — "There is still work to be done."