Far from following the traditional process in which the text precedes the staging, Professor Ouellet favours an approach where elements such as lighting, sound and acting are essential to the birth of the theatrical universe. In collaboration with lighting and sound design specialists, she begins each project by seeking out the sensory devices that will create the universe that will serve as the basis for fleshing out the work. Then come the actors she works with to explore this universe and bring it to life. The audience will then be invited to join in the theatrical experience from within.
Winner of the Prix de l’artiste de l’année en Outaouais in 2023, Anne-Marie Ouellet is currently working with water and mist as raw creative materials. One of her recent projects, De glace, is an adaptation of a Norwegian novel that aptly illustrates her approach and innovative use of these elements. This immersive show plunges the audience into the Norwegian winter, with audience members equipped with headphones and mist diffused throughout the room to spread light and create Nordic landscapes. The project was presented in Montreal in November 2024 and will be translated into English for the 2025 Push Performing Arts Festival in Vancouver.
Meanwhile, Professor Ouellet is experimenting with a new project on sisterhood involving 11 women aged five to 72, to be presented at Théâtre Espace Go in 2025. The show, titled Créatures, is built in a flooded theatre, and the water comes to life through sound and light installations. De glace and Créatures appeal to adults and children alike. By creating works that leave a great deal to the imagination, she hopes that spectators will be able to experience them differently, depending on their age.
Her projects are supported by grants from various organizations, including the SSHRC, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and the National Arts Centre. Anne-Marie Ouellet has partnered with the professional world of the stage, other research-creation players and her students, and benefits from the stimulating environment at the University of Ottawa, allowing her to carry out her research and create her works through lengthy, reflective processes, all while building her professional reputation..