40 Years of Bringing Local Theatre to Life
La Troupe du Jour
La Troupe du Jour is a professional French-language theatre company based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. For 40 years, we have brought French-language theatre to life through original productions, artistic collaborations, and initiatives that support the development of Fransaskois theatre.
Rooted in Saskatchewan’s Francophone community, our company celebrates creativity, supports local artists and talent, and gives audiences from all backgrounds the opportunity to discover and experience theatre in French.
La Troupe du Jour also offers training activities, programs for schools, youth and the community, as well as a variety of spaces available for rent for meetings, rehearsals, workshops, events and other activities.
Our Production Centre is a place for creation, connection, learning and performance, serving both artists and the wider community.
Our 40-Year Journey
Since its founding in 1985, La Troupe du Jour has brought professional Francophone theatre to life and helped it thrive across Saskatchewan. Over the decades, passionate artists, playwrights and theatre professionals have built a company deeply rooted in its community and committed to promoting the French language and Fransaskois culture.
Landmark productions, awards, tours, new initiatives and defining moments: discover some of the milestones that have shaped our journey. Forty Years of Stories… and the Story Continues!
Founding of La Troupe du Jour
Alphonse Gaudet, Carmen Gareau and Michel Quirion founded La Troupe du Jour, which would go on to become the only professional Francophone theatre company in Saskatchewan.
“We decided to start our own theatre. A theatre that reflects the Fransaskois voice, that reflects our reality.”
First Production: Azarie
La Troupe presents its first production, Azarie, a collective creation exploring the cultural marginalization of elderly Fransaskois people within the provincial nursing home system. That same year, the company adopts its historic two-mask logo.
Arrival of Denis Rouleau
Denis Rouleau joins La Troupe du Jour, leaving a profound mark on the company’s artistic history over the next three decades.
Balconville
La Troupe presents Balconville by David Fennario, directed by Laurier Gareau.
La Trahison
The play, written by Laurier Gareau and directed by Denis Rouleau, stands among the notable productions of this period. La Trahison is a passionate conversation between Gabriel Dumont and Father Julien Moulin, the elderly priest of Batoche. Set in 1905, the play follows the aging Métis leader as he seeks to be buried alongside his people in the Batoche cemetery, despite not having set foot in a church since the end of the armed Resistance of 1885.
Cercle des écrivains
The year 1997 was marked by the creation of the Cercle des écrivains and La Troupe du Jour’s participation in the first Festival de la dramaturgie fransaskoise. These two events strengthened La Troupe’s role in the development of local Francophone playwriting. (Photo: May 2026.)
Historic Recognition
La Troupe du Jour became the first theatre company to be inducted into the Margaret Woodward Theatre Hall of Fame. This recognition honoured the company’s excellence in promoting and developing Francophone theatre at the provincial, national and international levels.
Introduction of English Surtitles
The introduction of English surtitles enables La Troupe du Jour to reach a broader audience across Saskatchewan while continuing to create and present theatre in French.
Rearview Takes the Stage Across Canada
Rearview, a creation by Gilles Poulin-Denis, embarks on a cross-Canada tour and is nominated for the Governor General’s Literary Awards.
La Troupe Finds a Home
La Troupe du Jour acquires its own production centre, a major milestone in its development and its roots in Saskatoon.
Creation of the Denis Rouleau Scholarship
The creation of this Denis Rouleau scholarship honours Denis Rouleau’s legacy while contributing to the development of the next generation of artists. Valued at $500, the scholarship is awarded once a year to a Francophone theatre artist to support their artistic and professional development. Preference is given to Fransaskois artists: artists who practise their art in French in Saskatchewan.
Creation of the Ian C. Nelson Fund
La Troupe, in partnership with the Fransaskois Foundation, creates a fund in honour of Ian C. Nelson, a founding figure of Francophone theatre in Saskatchewan, who passed away on February 1, 2024.
In 1969, Ian C. Nelson and a group of passionate Francophone and Francophile students at the University of Saskatchewan founded Unithéâtre. This initiative helped pave the way for the creation of a professional theatre company.
40th Season
La Troupe launches its 40th season under the theme “She narrates, we resonate!”, celebrating four decades of creativity and connection with audiences.
For our 40th season, women’s voices take centre stage! The 2025–2026 season highlights women creators and performers from across the Canadian Francophonie: Bianca Richard (Parler mal, New Brunswick), Madeleine Blais-Dahlem (Cantate pour légumes, Saskatchewan), Marie-Ève Fontaine (Cet été qui chantait, Manitoba) and Isabelle Payant (45, de la Taupinière, Quebec).
Not to mention the many female faces of Albertine, en cinq temps and the reimagined world of author Gabrielle Roy.
Fransaskois Playwriting Takes Centre Stage
Madeleine Blais-Dahlem receives the Centre des écritures dramatiques – Wallonie-Bruxelles Award, while Jesse Fulcher Gagnon receives the Roland Mahé Award from the Association des théâtres francophones du Canada (ATFC) Foundation.
40 Years and a New Chapter
La Troupe officially celebrates its 40th anniversary and unveils its new visual identity, marking both the journey so far and the beginning of a new chapter.
Theatreography
A journey shaped by creation, community and the growth and recognition of Francophone theatre in Saskatchewan.
AZARIE
Community production/adults; a collective creation
JOANNE RUISSEAU
Community production/adults; a collective creation
SOIRÉE MOLIÈRE
Community production/adults; by Molière
MLLE ROBERGE BOIT UN PEU
Community production/adults; by Michel Tremblay
LA BÊTE À SEPT TÊTES
Community production/children; adaptation of a legend
MANON LAST CALL
Community production/adults; by Jean Barbeau
LE GÉANT BEAUPRÉ
Community production/children; by Solange Lavigne
PUZZLES
Community production/adults; by Michèle Barbier
SURPRISE, SURPRISE
Community production/adults; by Michel Tremblay
LES FARCES DE MOLIÈRE
Community production/adults; by Molière
MONSIEUR TOUT GRIS
Professional production/children; by Joël Richard
BALCONVILLE
Community production/adults; by David Fenario
Our Identity
Mission
To create and present bold, accessible professional Francophone theatre that is deeply rooted in its community. La Troupe du Jour supports artists in their creative process, fosters the emergence of new works and creates opportunities for audiences from all walks of life to discover theatre in French.
Vision
To make Francophone theatre a vibrant space where the stories, voices, and imaginations of our communities can fully express themselves. La Troupe du Jour aspires to an open, creative and inclusive Francophonie, where theatre builds bridges between generations, cultures and communities.
Values
Creation
We believe in the power of imagination, artistic boldness and the freedom to create. We support artists and emerging voices that contribute to the renewal of Francophone theatre.
Francophonie
We keep the French language alive through creation, performance and connection. We celebrate Fransaskois culture while placing it within a diverse Francophonie that is open to the world.
Community
Theatre is first and foremost about connection. We strive to build lasting relationships with our audiences, artists, partners and the communities we serve.
Accessibility and Inclusion
We want everyone to find their place at La Troupe du Jour. We foster welcoming, accessible and respectful spaces that embrace diverse experiences, identities and perspectives.
COLLABORATION
We believe the best ideas come to life when they are shared. Listening, dialogue and collaboration are at the heart of how we create and work.
A Growing Presence
In 2024–2025, our school programs reached 3,863 students across Saskatchewan, with 169 workshops delivered in schools.
Supporting the Next Generation
Through its workshops, school activities, and training programs, La Troupe du Jour introduces young people to theater and helps them discover the creative process, acting, and the performing arts.
Nurturing New Voices
Since 1997, the Writers’ Circle has brought together nearly a dozen participants each year to explore Francophone writing and creation, culminating in two public presentations at the end of the season.
Bringing Audiences Together
Our programming offers diverse, accessible, and engaging works, while creating space for artists and stories from the Francophone community.
Thanks to our artists, volunteers, partners, funders, and audiences, La Troupe du Jour continues to be a place of creation, learning, experimentation, and connection for Saskatchewan’s Francophone community.
OUR TEAM
Bruce McKay
Artistic Director and
Co-Executive Director
Co-Executive Director
Bruce provides artistic leadership at La Troupe du Jour and co-leads the organization, overseeing the company’s creative vision and artistic development.
Jonathon Pickrell
School Program Coordinator
Contact our coordinator for our École de théâtre and custom workshops for schools.
Lina Ouaakarrouch
Administrative Director and Co-Executive Director
Lina oversees the strategic and administrative management of La Troupe du Jour, supporting its artistic and organizational development.
Jaron Francis
Production Centre Coordinator
For space rentals and general inquiries, Jaron is your point of contact.
Frank Engel
Technical Director
Frank is your point of contact for all audiovisual needs at the Studio Ian C. Nelson.
Aida Bock
Audience Development and Philanthropy Coordinator
Aida supports audience development and philanthropy initiatives through communications, engagement and audience relations.
CONTACT US
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President – Sylvie Bergeron
Vice-President – Henri Biahé
Treasurer – Frédérique Baudemont
Secretary – Marie-Diane Clarke
Advisor – Jeffrey Klassen
Advisor – Shannon Lacroix
Advisor – Mike Bowden
Interested in Joining the Board of Directors?
FAQ — La Troupe du Jour
La Troupe du Jour is a professional Francophone theatre company based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Since 1986, it has created, produced, and presented theatre in French and contributed to the development of Francophone theatre and culture in Saskatchewan.
Each season, La Troupe du Jour presents a diverse lineup featuring professional productions, community productions, and guest performances from across Canada. Explore our programming to discover upcoming shows.
A season subscription gives you access to several shows throughout the season at a special rate. For the current season, simply select a ticket for each eligible show, and the discount will be automatically applied to your cart.
Yes. La Troupe du Jour offers a École de théâtre for young people, as well as theatre workshops in schools. These activities give young people the opportunity to develop their creativity, confidence, and interest in the performing arts in French.
La Troupe du Jour acknowledges that it has been granted the privilege of working on Treaty 6 territory, land of the Nêhiyawak (Plains Cree), Nahkawininiwak (Saulteaux), Dakota and Lakota (Sioux), Nakota (Assiniboine), Denesuline (Dene/Chipewyan), and homeland of the Métis.
As first inhabitants of Treaty 6 territory, they have the right to be treated with respect and dignity. We support their right to sovereignty, equality, safety, access to high quality and culturally sensitive healthcare, education, family services, justice, and to never again have essentials like food, clean drinking water, and basic human rights and freedoms withheld from them.
We are grateful to be able to benefit from the knowledge they have accumulated over millennia: their wisdom, talents, contributions, successes, and the beauty of their cultures. We vow to be good stewards of these lands, and to participate in reconciliation efforts however we can.