Workers with disabilities and their educators from the Breuvannes and Chaumont establishments have created a burlesque cabaret “Les SiphoNeZ”. Time for the preview!
As part of their professional and individual support, nine people, supervised by four guides, were trained in the art of clowning and integrated into a cabaret-show group.
Since the start of the year, these workers with disabilities followed in the Breuvannes and Chaumont establishments regularly rehearse their number to present it to the public. Last week, they were even in residence at the House of Courcelles in Giey-sur-Aujonin the company of two entertainment professionals. They were able to show their talent acquired through hard work in front of the children of the present summer camp.
Cabaret-clown
The idea germinated four years ago during a meeting between Patricia Ssanguem, deputy director of the Apajh (Association for adults and young people with disabilities) Breuvannes-Froncles and the Montpellier company Zerafa who came to an event within local ESATs (Establishments and work support services).
Why not perpetuate a clown show recognized as an activity useful for the development of these workers? This is what was undertaken: “The following year, the project took shape with the training of members of the supervisory staff motivated by the creation of a clown cabaret during of three modules in progress“.
Since then, weekly workshops in which companions and mentees come together have been set up. The Les SiphoNeZ cabaret was born in June with the arrival of Ida Gaspard-Vincent and Véronique Varin, two artists from the Zerafa company. Thanks to the expertise of these two actresses, the project to show a show for all audiences has taken shape. It extends over a year until June 2025 as Véronique explains.
A promising preview
“We planned five one-week interventions during this period; the one spent in residence in Courcelles was the second. The next one will take place in December for a performance at the Chauffourt school and in nursing homes or in cultural places such as theaters.
This preview performance is entitled “We nose as we are”. She was already showing promising control on the part of the actorsthe sketches follow one another without any downtime, the positioning and gestures well in place and the voices well assured.
A dozen sketches
Among the dozen sketches presented, we can cite The Birth of a Clown in the opening, The Waiting Room, The Western and Ping-Pong. The Fashion Show ultimately made it possible toadmire the choice and quality of the costumes and makeupwith one thing in common among the 15 actors: the big red nose. After the laughter, the applause from the young audience showed that they had been won over.
“Feeling in your place in a group, to fit in”
What do assisted workers think of this “clown therapy”? Jean-Philippe is not the spokesperson for the group, but he knows those who make it up well, his opinion could be that of everyone: ” The benefit of these burlesque comedies is first of all to feel at home in a group, to integrate. Personally, expressing myself in public through gestures and words has allowed me to regain self-confidence, to eliminate inhibitions, to be natural and to no longer fear the gaze of others. This kind of freedom also allows you to feel your emotions without blockage or restraint.
Véronique and Ida have longer-term projects that could include workers with disabilities. The adventure could continue after June and the curtain will still rise.
