Today we’d like to introduce you to Hal Evans and Tracy Elizabeth Hults.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Hal and Tracy Elizabeth. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Troupe d’ Jour launched in 1994 as an educational theatre company. Initially presenting interActive(c) performances of Shakespeare and other literature in the curriculum, TdJ has expanded to earn acclaim for our pioneering work in arts integration, professional development, and intensive training opportunities for young actors. TdJ works with more than 60,000 students and 10,000 educators per year.
Intrepid Fringe’s debut hit the stage in 2008. We perform ‘meta-cognitive’ theatre, producing Shakespeare’s plays and the original plays of our co-founder Hal Evans. We prefer to create uniquely immersive experiences for our audiences in found spaces. Our methods follow the philosophies and practices of Theatre de Complicite and Augusto Boal as best we understand them.
Now that Hal Evans’ first volume of children’s poetry has been published (If I Weren’t Me, Plum Street Publishing), a new layer of performance opportunities has sprung up. Guest author visits incorporate the copywrighted EnterActive(c) presentation formula of TdJ and IF, engaging audiences and bringing fresh insights and passion for literature, arts, and joie de vivre.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The course of true artists never runs smooth. We believe most artists who fail do so because of a lack of business acumen, It helps our endeavors that both Owner/Directors bring previous business-related experience to the table. Tracy Elizabeth Hults served 8 years in the US Navy, then went on to work in fields where she trained in LEAN manufacturing. Prior to founding these theatre companies, Hal Evans had spent 12 years in administrative positions.
Even so, peaks and valleys have occurred. The best advice we ever received was, “Create your own audience.” (Thank you, Doug.)
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Troupe d’ Jour & Intrepid Fringe – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Troupe d’ Jour is best known for 4 dimensions of our work:
* Interactive(c) performances, in which the audience shares in each performance within minutes;
* Arts integration in which we use theatre arts techniques to teach across curriculum, including STEM;
* Professional Development for educators, equipping them with fresh strategies and activities for imparting information by engaging the affective domain; and,
* Actor training opportunities for students, ages 6-18, including workshops and performances in London and Scotland.
Intrepid Fringe has earned critical acclaim for our immersive productions of Shakespeare and original plays. Our unique approach to casting opts for workshops rather than traditional auditions (which we view as dehumanizing). Our performances seek to ‘hold the mirror up to nature so that an uncomfortable intimacy of truth delivers a cathartic epiphany for our audiences. Responding praise of our work seems to indicate we are getting through!
As a poet, critics have begun comparing Hal’s work to that of Shel Silverstein. We are humbled, and honored.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We plan to continue the mission of Troupe d’ Jour, seeking corporate underwriting to expand the scope and reach of our work in schools.
Intrepid Fringe is currently planning its first full season of productions. Growing audiences and acclaim have spurred the development of a crowd-sourcing campaign, a non-profit organization, and corporate underwriting for upcoming productions. We’ll be offering more open workshops, both as avenues for free training for actors and stress-free auditions.
A second and third book of poetry by Hal Evans is already in preparation for publication, while demand for author visits and book signings mounts. And, Tracy Hult’s first children’s book is currently under consideration by a publisher.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.troupedjour.com & www.intrepidfringe.com
- Phone: 2817348314
- Email: info@troupedjour.com & intrepidfringe@gmail.com & hal.evans.poet@gmail.com
- Instagram: intrepidfringe
- Facebook: troupedjour
- Twitter: @hal_evans_poet
Image Credit:
Day Uzzell
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