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Bussières, Paul

Designer, born in Quebec City, Quebec in 1943; died July, 2008.

Paul Bussières studied at the École des Beaux Arts de Québec and then in France before returning to design and act with the Théâtre de l'Estoc between 1960 and 1968.

He then designed several works for children, worked with the Festival d'été de Québec, and taught at the Conservatoire d'art dramatique de Québec.

He also designed costumes and/or sets for the Théâtre du Trident's difficult thrust/in-the-round theatre, particularly its hits Charbonneau et le Chef, Pygmalion and La Mort d'un commis-voyageur/Death of a Salesman. He became Quebec City's first resident designer. He also worked for the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, Compagnie Jean-Duceppe and the National Arts Centre among others.

His designs were marked by a complete understanding of stage movement and dramatic dynamics, as well as by a stripped down and lucid aesthetic quality.

He has said of designing, "I believe that the visual aspect of a play is very important, at whatever level of production. What you present to be looked at has to be considered, reflected upon. Nothing should be left to chance. Set is not something gratuitous, it should be integrated into the play as much as the actor."

Further reading: André Ricard. Paul Bussières scénographe, et la pratique théâtrale à Québec 1960-2008. Montreal: Presses de L'Universite Laval, 2013.

Profile by Gaetan Charlebois

Last updated 2020-06-03