Story#7 - Thierry
Thierry de Pina, Nice (France)
Thierry is an actor.
I discovered his work while in Nice last April. I was intrigued by his story during the first lockdown phase: theatres were closed with no clear indications of reopening.
He invited me to his place, in the heart of ‘Viuex-Nice’ and I made an immediate connection to one of the reasons while I wanted to meet him.
He started proposing ‘Theatre a domicile’, playing at private houses and apartments, with minimum requirements of social distances.
I found this choice a concrete way of adapting to the new circumstances, although the French administration decided to ban even these kinds of experiences.
“We did as long as we could, although it has not been an easy exercise: we needed to check locations, ensure social distances, contain costs”.
A place of Inspiration
“Promenade des Anglais, is a place of inspiration for me. I often walk here and start thinking at what to create”.
It is true: Promenade des Anglais is a special place in Nice where many people go for inspiration. Particularly early morning, calm, quietness and light create a very intimate atmosphere.
‘Ah le Zèbre’, a young and dynamic theatre association, proposes several activities promoting theatre in the Nice-area, in gardens, public squares, schools. The name comes from a big zebra he has in his living room.
People just get in and say: “Ah, a zebra!”
Thierry and his zebra
‘We are using these long weeks to prepare new cultural proposals for the summertime and schools in September. It will not be easy because theatre producers will have to schedule calendars taking into account the cultural programme that was there before pandemic: they will, most likely, re-start from there.”
But he knows people need to laugh, relax, and enjoy theatre as they used to have before COVID. He is firmly convinced that theatre also plays a vital role for children and kids.
“As soon as I can, I will go to schools to read love letters to children: they need it!”
I am so happy to see that, while this story gets published, Thierry just played “Parle moi d'Amour" as part of the ‘Department des Alpes-Marittimes’ summer cultural offer.
Thank you Thierry for showing me that you can plan your the future, you can prepare for something new, you can follow your passion, with determination and hope.
I really enjoy our chat.
Looking forward to your love letters for children, Thierry!
STORIES of HOPE. Simple stories of ordinary people that carry a message of hope, a fragment of future. I have been meeting incredible people, that transmit energy, passion, engagement. I talk to them and try to find their message of hope.
