Jean Herbiet
Encyclopedia
Jean Herbiet was born in Namur (Belgium) on December 16, 1930. He moved to Ottawa (Canada) in 1958 after completing studies in administration at the Institut Polytechnique and in theatre at the Institut belge du théâtre in Brussels.
Between 1971 and 1981, Jean Herbiet held the position of Artistic Director of the French Theatre at the National Arts Centre
, where he opened a series of production programs, cultural exchanges and tours that brought shows overseas to and from Europe. Herbiet is best remembered as the director of two famous productions created in collaboration with the brilliant puppeteer Félix Mirbt: Büchner's Woyzeck (1974) and Strindberg's A Dream Play (1977). Throughout his tenure, Herbiet expanded the scope of theatre by exploring the new possibilities offered by the National Arts Centre Studio, Canada's first fully flexible performance space. His bold experiments in this area have had a lasting influence on Canadian theatrical practice.
In 1981, he was appointed General Director of the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris for a four year term. After returning to Ottawa in 1985, Herbiet returned to his specialities: directing theatre and teaching at the University of Ottawa
. He also wrote the scripts for bilingual documentary vignettes presented by the Canadian Museum of Civilization
, and the Parliament of Canada
.
His publications include the eight historical one-act plays Huit promenades sur les plaines d'Abraham, the short stories Le Vieil Arbre et l'Alouette and Ti-Jean-Jean et le Soleil and the play La Rose Rôtie.
Jean Herbiet died on March 31, 2008.
Between 1971 and 1981, Jean Herbiet held the position of Artistic Director of the French Theatre at the National Arts Centre
National Arts Centre
The National Arts Centre is a centre for the performing arts located in Ottawa, Ontario, between Elgin Street and the Rideau Canal...
, where he opened a series of production programs, cultural exchanges and tours that brought shows overseas to and from Europe. Herbiet is best remembered as the director of two famous productions created in collaboration with the brilliant puppeteer Félix Mirbt: Büchner's Woyzeck (1974) and Strindberg's A Dream Play (1977). Throughout his tenure, Herbiet expanded the scope of theatre by exploring the new possibilities offered by the National Arts Centre Studio, Canada's first fully flexible performance space. His bold experiments in this area have had a lasting influence on Canadian theatrical practice.
In 1981, he was appointed General Director of the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris for a four year term. After returning to Ottawa in 1985, Herbiet returned to his specialities: directing theatre and teaching at the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
. He also wrote the scripts for bilingual documentary vignettes presented by the Canadian Museum of Civilization
Canadian Museum of Civilization
The Canadian Museum of Civilization is Canada's national museum of human history and the most popular and most-visited museum in Canada....
, and the Parliament of Canada
Parliament of Canada
The Parliament of Canada is the federal legislative branch of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in the national capital, Ottawa. Formally, the body consists of the Canadian monarch—represented by her governor general—the Senate, and the House of Commons, each element having its own officers and...
.
His publications include the eight historical one-act plays Huit promenades sur les plaines d'Abraham, the short stories Le Vieil Arbre et l'Alouette and Ti-Jean-Jean et le Soleil and the play La Rose Rôtie.
Jean Herbiet died on March 31, 2008.