Mani Soleymanlou
A 2008 graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada, Mani Soleymanlou has lived in Tehran, Paris, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, and has worked with such acclaimed directors as Alice Ronfard (Les pieds des anges), Brigitte Haentjens (L’opéra de quat’sous), Claude Poissant (Rouge gueule, The Dragonfly of Chicoutimi), Serge Denoncourt (Projet Andromaque, Les trois mousquetaires), Olivier Kemeid (Furieux et désespérés), Denis Bernard (Ce moment-là) and Eric Jean (Variations sur un temps).
He is best known as the founding artistic director (2011) of the Montreal-based theatre company Orange Noyée. His distinctive artistic practice investigates notions of community identity (Un/One, Deux/Two, Trois/Three) and social relationships (Ils étaient quatre, Cinq à sept, 8). He pursued this approach more recently in Neuf [working title] and Zéro presented in fall 2019 in Montreal and Ottawa, and also in various artistic collaborations over the years: Lapin blanc, Lapin rouge, Les Lettres arabes II, and À te regarder, ils s’habitueront. Mani Soleymanlou was part of the impressive team behind Gabriel Dumont’s Wild West Show (premiered at the NAC in October 2017), as director and co-artistic director.
Mani Soleymanlou assumed the position of Artistic Director of NAC French Theatre on September 1, 2021.
Upcoming events
Projects & initiatives
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podcast
Mani in conversation with…
During the season, Mani Soleymanlou invites artists to discuss creation, dreams, living together... and aliens. Each encounter is a precious moment… During the season, Mani Soleymanlou invites artists to discuss… During the season, Mani Soleymanlou invites artists to discuss creation, dreams, living together... and aliens. Each encounter is a precious moment of complicity and openness.
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News
Mani Soleymanlou’s great cycle of identity returns to the stage!
To launch his first season as Artistic Director of French Theatre, Mani Soleymanlou has surrounded himself with some 40 Francophone… To launch his first season as Artistic Director of French Theatre,… To launch his first season as Artistic Director of French Theatre, Mani Soleymanlou has surrounded himself with some 40 Francophone performers from across Canada.
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Special projects
The Collective, The Residency, The Labs
Three projects that reach out to artists, audiences and a new generation. Featuring: Le collectif, La résidence, along with the… Three projects that reach out to artists, audiences and a… Three projects that reach out to artists, audiences and a new generation. Featuring: Le collectif, La résidence, along with the return of Les laboratoires.
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Mani Soleymanlou
The next Artistic Director of NAC's French Theatre
Director, playwriter, actor Mani Soleymanlou to succeed Brigitte Haentjens as NAC's French Theatre Artistic Director as of September 1st 2021… Director, playwriter, actor Mani Soleymanlou to succeed Brigitte… Director, playwriter, actor Mani Soleymanlou to succeed Brigitte Haentjens as NAC's French Theatre Artistic Director as of September 1st 2021