In brief

Brigitte Haentjens at the NAC

In 2012, a major pioneer of Franco-Ontarian theatre, Brigitte Haentjens, becomes the first woman to direct the National Arts Centre’s French Theatre program. Haentjens, a native of Versailles, France, quickly becomes known in the Franco-Ontarian milieu upon her arrival. After working in the Ottawa dramatic arts community, at the Théâtre d’la Corvée and the Théâtre d’la Vieille 17, Haentjens directs Sudbury’s Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario from 1982 to 1990. She then makes a name for herself in Quebec, at ESPACE GO, the Trident, the Théâtre du Rideau vert and the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde‎, through her particularly audacious productions. With her appointment to the NAC, Brigitte Haentjens rises to the ranks of the biggest names in theatre – André Brassard, Robert Lepage, Wajdi Mouawad – who preceded her in this position.

Black and white studio photograph of an older woman. She has very short gray hair, and she wears earrings, glasses, a black blouse, and a gray and black jacket. She smiles discreetly at the camera.

Brigitte Haentjens, Artistic Director of French Theatre at the NAC, January 17, 2014. 
 

Brigitte Haentjens collection, BRIGITTE_HAENTJENS 4061-WEB-NB.