Now that it is passed we can share our fear. Until the last moment, we did not know if Jos Houben would have a visa to come and work as an artist in residence at the school with the tenth graders during the week of April 20 to 24. One pending question from the State Department was whether it made sense for a Belgian actor to come at a French school, some bureaucrats being probably unaware that a large part of Belgium is French speaking. But more importantly they knew little about the residency that was to follow.
Observe, “watch with the body”, “create a silence”, it is in those terms that the actor, Belgian indeed, but more importantly teacher in Paris at the Jacques Lecoq school, formed at the particular stage presence of the theatre de Complicity, addressed the students. Words in French or Flemish (his native language that the actor was able to share with Anne Gaëlle Van de Weghe, parent at the Lycee, native of a neighboring town, and co-organizer of a cocktail in honor of the artist at the home of Alexandra Piol), were few. For this artistic marathon (The artist had to convince and lead 90 students to a final performance over five days with an average of five hours spent with each class), Jos Houben was assisted by Nessa Norich, his former student at school Lecoq and actress in her own right.
“Artistic creation is to choose, crystallize, reduce, and make essential”
The first two hours were a learning time. Through exercises and group games – assembled in a circle, the students had to blow on an imaginary bubble and project it to another participant while striving not to make it fall; or walking one by one on the stage, four or five students chose a place randomly while the others imagine a scenario between them, and, why not, the game of consuming passions between the Othello’ s four main characters, the “language” used during the whole week was established. Then during the remaining time, the students were given the floor “silently”, remembering a few observations conducted in the city and replaying them for their comrades. Jos Houben helped them transpose the scene in an artistic way. “Artistic creation is to choose, crystallize, reduce, and make essential”, said Jos, adding “It is not about the best, it is about how you interact with the world.”
“I learned not to be so repulsed by being on stage”
In a busy school calendar, most students participated with enthusiasm to this unique experience. « I really enjoyed meeting with this artist, because he was hilarious, creative, and ingenious. I learned not to be so repulsed by being on stage, and that every single little action can be dissected so as to be represented on stage”, wrote Tara Shirazi, student in Y 10, in response to a post residence questionnaire sent to all participants which hopefully will be answered by others.
The final project was a triumph. As always the students outdid themselves. Jos went back to Paris on that Friday with little time left to prepare his speech for the Moliere’s ceremony on the Monday night where he was nominated. Upon the results, Jos wrote us in a text message: “Thank you to all my fans. It was not meant for me and it is as well. » Maybe so, but for the Lycee, Jos Houben was the only possible nominee.
Watch the final show here:
About the Author :
Pascale Richard joined the Lycée as director of the Cultural Center in 2011, where she aims to bring the best of French and American cultures through conferences, concerts, films and various events. In the fall of 2012, she launched the school’s Artist-in-Residence program. Pascale was previously Vice President of External Affairs at the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF). Her background is in journalism and writing with a focus on lifestyle and fashion. She is a graduate of Sciences-po and holds a master’s in journalism from New York University.
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