Jean-Pierre Ronfard

Jean-Pierre Ronfard (January 14, 1929 - September 23, 2003) was a French-born Canadian actor, playwright and theatre director from Quebec,Gaetan Charlebois, [https://www.canadiantheatre.com/dict.pl?term=Ronfard%2C%20Jean-Pierre "Ronfard, Jean-Pierre"]. Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia, November 22, 2020. most noted as the first director of the French-language program at the National Theatre School of Canada.[https://www.ledevoir.com/non-classe/37181/jean-pierre-ronfard-est-mort "Jean-Pierre Ronfard est mort"]. Le Devoir, September 27, 2003.

Life and career

Born in Thivencelle, Nord, France, he was educated at the University of Lille.Stéphane Baillargeon, [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/fr/article/ronfard-jean-pierre "Ronfard, Jean-Pierre"]. The Canadian Encyclopedia, September 17, 2008. He moved to Montreal in 1960 to take the job with the National Theatre School. After the end of his job with the National Theatre School in 1964 he returned to France, but moved back to Montreal in 1970 to become artistic director of the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, and would remain based in Montreal for the remainder of his life and career.Kate Taylor, "Director took Monty Python approach to Quebec theatre". The Globe and Mail, October 2, 2003.

He also later founded the Nouveau Théâtre expérimental theatre company with Robert Gravel and Pol Pelletier.

As a playwright, his plays included Quichotte (1969), La Vie et mort du roi boiteux (1981),Marianne Ackerman, "Innovative theatre a hot ticket in Montreal firehall". The Globe and Mail, July 3, 1982. Le Mandragore (1982),"La Mandragore staged with a Quebecois twist". Ottawa Citizen, December 3, 1998. Le Titanic (1985),Marianne Ackerman, "Ronfard hopes his 'Titanic' won't sink". Montreal Gazette, May 18, 1985. Les objets parlent (1986),Pat Donnelly, "Ronfard's latest lacks actors - and that's not all". Montreal Gazette, December 9, 1986. Mao Tsé Toung ou Soirée de musique au consulat (1987),Marianne Ackerman, "TNE's Mao charming highly visual theatre". Montreal Gazette, February 28, 1987. and Autour de Phédre (1988). Theatre critic Marianne Ackerman once described Ronfard's work as "Imagine Monty Python tackling the complete works of William Shakespeare with an intimate knowledge of the mafiosi and Quebec cultures to lean on."

He acted primarily on stage, but also had occasional film and television roles, and directed productions of plays by writers such as Aeschylus, Alfred Jarry, Eugène Ionesco, Claude Gauvreau, Réjean Ducharme, Jean Barbeau, and Robert Claing.

He was married to writer Marie Cardinal. They had three children, including theatre director Alice Ronfard.

He died in 2003 during the stage run of his final play, Oedipe à Colone.

Awards

He was a four-time nominee for the Governor General's Award for French-language drama, receiving nods at the 1981 Governor General's Awards for Vie et mort du Roi Boiteux,"Governor General's finalists announced". Montreal Gazette, April 24, 1982. the 1986 Governor General's Awards for Le Titanic,"Awards finalists announced". The Globe and Mail, May 1, 1987. the 1994 Governor General's Awards for Cinq études,Val Ross, "Munro, Atwood up for Governor-General's award: Oversights as notable as choices on lists of finalists for national literary prizes". The Globe and Mail, October 27, 1994. and the 2003 Governor General's Awards for Écriture pour le théâtre, tome III.Pat Donnelly, "Montrealer's debut novel gets place on shortlist". Montreal Gazette, October 21, 2003.

In 1997, he was a recipient of the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for his career in theatre.Bonnie Malleck, "Governor General's Awards celebrate six outstanding artists". Waterloo Region Record, December 27, 1997. In 1999, he was the recipient of the Prix Denise-Pelletier for outstanding contributions to the performing arts in Quebec."Honouring 10 of the finest". Montreal Gazette, November 23, 1999.

In 2000 he received the National Theatre School's Gascon-Thomas Award."Gascon-Thomas award winners". Montreal Gazette, November 13, 2000.