Member Spotlight:
Cory Haas
Introduction
I am the current Artistic and Managing director of Théâtre la Seizième - BC's main professional French-Language theatre company which has existed since 1974. Before that, and I guess currently still, I am a director, performer, translator and actor-trainer!
For the company, I am charge of our artistic vision which includes a season of 7 or 8 shows, for mainstage and young audiences, with local productions and also shows we present from across Francophone Canada, Quebec, and international countries. We also support artistic practice through our Artistic Incubator, in the form of commissions, assisting independent projects and providing continued professional development opportunities. I also responsible for the overall strategic vision of la Seizième, but very well supported by our incredible team and board. We also make sure people know, at every chance we get, that la Seizième has surtitles, so you don't need to speak French to come see our shows!
As a practitioner, I have been directing and creating work for the past ten years. I have a wide interest, taking on different forms and subjects, inspired by my time living in Europe, both in France and in London, as well as in North America. I am fascinated by actor training and have a deep love of working with actors.
What first drew you to working in theatre?
I fell into theatre not really knowing why. I grew up wanting to be an airline pilot, even went to flight school for a year after graduating. The following year, I had the urge to go to university, thinking I would experience the university life I saw on TV shows growing up in France. While I had very little experience doing any kind of performing, it is something that I was drawn too and so I ended up in theatre school. During my training as an actor, I became interested in directing and creation. Years later, I made the connection between my father's job as a professional hockey coach and player, and my path as a director. Working in theatre, directing theatre, is about leading a team, empowering those around you to become active creators in a process. It's about working with artisans, each with their own skill, towards a common goal. It's about preparing for a game and then letting go everything you thought you knew in order to be present in the moment.
What makes live performance unique?
Live performance is unique for that exact quality of live-ness. How exciting, how daring, to be able to feel all the parts of humanity, the good, the bad, the sorrowful, the joyous parts, with other people. Being together, coming together to witness an event. I feel as if theatre needs to reclaim itself as an event, as something unique, where almost anything can happen. I am inspired by the kind of theatre where the 'real' irrupts, shattering the illusion that theatre is only something to be witnessed but it needs to be lived. I think that's what I aspire to as a creator, director, artistic director. We have this great privilege of working in the performing arts, and we must fight and hold onto to that quality of live-ness at all costs.
What part of the creative process do you enjoy most?
The work with actors and the creative team in the room is what I enjoy the most. Warming up together, working out together, playing games together are all crucial moments in the process. What I seek is to build an ensemble for every show I direct. This happens in many different ways, using different approaches or techniques based on the creative team and cast at hand, but always with the same goal, developing and solidifying a common language, a common objective. I want everyone to be as excited working on a show as I am, I love when everyone feels like they can take ownership of the work. Finding that groove, that creative space, is one of the best feelings in the world.
What advice would you give someone entering the field?
CURIOSITY! Travel, see art, go to museums and art galleries, have conversations with people, make something, listen to strangers' conversations on the bus, listen to music, figure out what you don't like, get curious about what you do like, observe the world around you, zoom out, see theatre, all of it, the good, the bad the weird. Take risks, BE CURIOUS.
Upcoming Project
Dilemme
Théâtre la Seizième
May 5th - 15h, 2026
Dilemme aims to bring the psychological thriller genre to the stage. Set in a suicide prevention call centre, this premiere coproduction between la Seizième (Vancouver) and DuBunker (Montreal) tells the story of Claire, a night-shift social worker, who is pushed to the brink as she battles with her grief. The show examines our relationship with others and asks how far are we willing to go to save someone?
Kaitlin Williams
Cory Haas
Aaron Craven
