An actress demands parity in the theater, even at the cost of conducting a “guerrilla” to obtain it

“Talent has no gender, even if the figures say the opposite, without ever ceasing to combine with the masculine. “

These words are signed Aurore Evain, actress, author and playwright in a striking column, published on July 5, 2022 in the columns of Liberation. Calls for equality in professional access to the art and culture sectors in France, for the first Forum on Economic Inclusion in the Community. The latter, organized by Afdas, in collaboration with the Avignon Festival and the University of Avignon, will take place on 12 July.

And as you recall, the data, which are found in the 2021 and 2019 reports of the Ministry of Culture, speak for themselves: ” two thirds of the shows are created by men and performed in front of two thirds of female spectators. ”

For the third of the lucky creators, the road is no less easy and egalitarian: they are mainly programmed in more modest environments, with smaller sizes, with lower budgets and lower productions. And their shows are presented to “2.5 times less public than men”Aurore Evain points out.

In 2022 “the rebel evaporated” and beg for a “marriage”

“The evaporated rebels”, “The muses enter the guerrilla” and beg a wedding”. The actress charms the “Forgotten voices (…) these sisters of Molière, Corneille, Racine”. Why yes, why not play the masterpieces of Olympe de Gouge or Marguerite Duras? And why not teach them in school?

For Aurore Évain, contemporary creators must themselves claim this “heritage” to fight against “the amnesia of National Education “. It even goes so far as to denounce “A patriarchal culture that continues to sow young minds, in school programs, on university benches, in entrance exams”.

In fact, according to the official bulletin of the Ministry of National Education, on the semi-renewed program of the jobs offered for the French baccalaureate 2021, only three out of sixteen texts were written by women (Madame de La Fayette, Marguerite Yourcenar and Nathalie Sarraute). And from textbooks to exam programs, passing through the Mantelle or the aggregation, the absence of female authors from the educational sphere is institutionalized. A study conducted by the Hubertine Auclert center on 17 textbooks in 2013 showed no progress.

#MetooTheatre, sexism and ageism

And the playwright to recall and underline, the same, an outbreak that seems to have been triggered in recent months in the world of theater: “For the silence to end, for the shame to change sides. So that the Marilyns no longer turn into stupid blondes “Aurore Evain writes.

Finally, the board world has its own #Metoo, for which the Molières ceremony, among others, did not take into account. Why not surprising the omerta still reigns despite the waves of reports of sexual abuse and violence, like at the Cours Florent in 2021.

“Because the underwear is political, and the revolution will also pass through the body”, supports the playwright. Because it means everything, and he doesn’t want to forget anyone. Because there is also an expiration date for women, advocated by the men of the community. But “mature women, the wrinkled ones, the graying ones, the menopausal ones, in short, the old beauties, pretend to come out of the shadows “Aurore Evain is categorical : “Sexism and ageism go hand in hand”.

And the facts are there to corroborate his words: of all the French films released in 2015, only 8% of the roles are played by actresses over 50. In 2016, the figure drops to 6%, according to the 50-year-old actress’s Tunnel commission (AAFA).

Theater and violence in all its forms

“ Physical, psychological, economic, sexist, sexual, symbolic, epistemic violence … “. It is with this new lyrical and dramatic enumeration that Aurore Evain concludes his monologue. Violence reigns behind the scenes, that’s one thing. But it requires support, hope and the mobilization of all.

Politicians, media and even spectators … There is urgency. Let’s let them shine the light they deserve “These evaporate, these guerrillas, these beautiful old women and their allies”. One last word? “It’s good for our imaginary representations. They are the ones who shape the world of tomorrow. And tomorrow looks stormy. “ Everything is said.

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