FROM THE IMPROVISATION TO THE REPRESENTATION

The theatrical studio was created in 1983 and since then , each year, the pupils who wish to, can gain authentic acting training, provided they are in 3ème, 2nde or Terminale.

The classes take part every Wednesday from 13h30 until 15h30 and deal with varying areas such as the utilisation of space, use of listening, facial expression, experimentation with ones behaviour and improvisation. To succeed well in these exercises, physical endurance is as important as the free use of the imagination. Notions of the imaginary scene, the tale, the lie and the imaginary language are all taken on board, in a strong dynamic group which does not allow anyone to hide.

In parallel, the studio is a place to meet others and offer opportunities to meet with diverse, cultural partners with the opportunity to watch them perform at a generously reduced tariff. For a few years now, we work closely with the « scène nationale » convention at the Volcan.

Naturally, this apprenticeship would be worthless if nothing was finally acted out on stage, which is the goal of this course as well as the willingness to interpret a repertoire of great roles in a more contemporary style.

Thus, for the last 20 years, we have been able to watch the pupils from our school, enact the roles of Tchekhov, Molière, Tennessee Williams, Lorca, Brecht, Anouilh, Koltès and many others, where our young talent is nurtured in our refectory or in the gymnasium as well as in the most impressive halls of our city and surrounding areas, from the City Hall and the Volcan we go to the « Petit Théâtre » or « l’Espace Sarah Bernhardt » at Sainte-Adresse.

For some years now, we have the privilege to work with « Le Poulailler » a small venue in the city centre, with an advantageous layout that allows the public to be closer to the performers as well as offering longer series of their representations.

Therefore it is for this reason, to be part of a theatrical studio such as ours : Is to fulfil man’s strongest passion, enacting a role.

Joël Pagier (animateur de l’Atelier Théâtre)

On Wednesday afternoons, all the pupils have the opportunity to practice a sport of their choice and represent the school in different competitions, organised by the UNSS (Union Nationale du Sport Scolaire). The pupils are trained and managed by their teachers (EPS) at Saint Joseph.

The proposed activities are : swimming, basketball, volleyball, handball, football, rugby, table tennis, badminton and dance. The choice of activities can be extended based on the demand.
For a number of years now, our teams have been honoured in the national level.

Football : 3rd in the French championships in June 2004
Rugby : Interacademic champion in 2003, finalist in the French championships
Table Tennis : Academic champion in June 2004

A group of young singers get together at Saint Jo. Twice a week at midday.

They tackle different repertoires: a variety of methods of singing and contempary songs, for example the songs from « les choristes » and other styles of music. The « Petits Chanteurs » participate if possible in the religious celebrations of the chaplaincy.

Since 10 years ago, the choir has taken part in the « Fédération Française des Petits Chanteurs » who get together every 2 years for the international convention (Salzburg, Quebec, Barcelona, Rome…) and a regional convention alternately (6 choirs from Haute and Basse-Normandie).

In Cologne in July 2004, 6000 young singers, coming from 23 different countries sang together for peace in the cathedral and along the bank of the Rhine. The 1st of January 2000, the « Petits chanteurs » of Saint Joseph participated in the big festival in the square of Saint-Peter in Rome, in the presence of the Pope.