The Upstage Interview: Jade Hassouné

Nobody knows who my character is.

Upstage and CharPo contributor Sarah Deshaies  spoke with actor Jade Hassouné about  In Absentia playing at Centaur Theatre.  Below is an abridged version edited by Estelle Rosen, CharPo Editor-in-chief.

UPSTAGE

Our first guest Jade Hassouné has been referred to as the collector of talents in the 2012 Montreal Mirror Noisemakers. Jade Hassouné joins us in studio. I hope you liked that introduction!  

HASSOUNÉ

I’ve never had an introduction before! Thank you. 

I think the best word for my character is a catalyst.

UPSTAGE

You’re starring in Morris Panych’s play In Absentia directed by Roy Surette. At the heart of the play we have a woman named Collette. Her husband has been abducted and she’s waiting for him to return.  Tell us a little bit about your role.

HASSOUNÉ

I think the best word for my character is a catalyst. A catalyst for change, a catalyst to help Colette transition because she’s going through some sort of transition. It’s like we’re following her  through a psychological journey. The play is written in fragmented style so that it’s kind of like looking through a broken mirror. 

Nobody knows who my character is. His name is Jasper. He’s been travelling for a while and he just shows up. This play really is a mystery. I can’t tell you too much because the fun of the play is to follow the journey.

I’m learning so much and am evolving every day, I feel like a sponge. 

UPSTAGE

Panych is an acclaimed Canadian playwright. This play is a première of one of his new works. Is that pressure for you?

HASSOUNÉ

Yes it is because you want to do the best you can; you want to embody the writer’s vision. He was with us for a week; it was great to have him there to be able to get it right from the source. I’m trusting my intuition and guidance. Roy is so great, so loving, as is everybody in the cast. Most of them are almost twice my age.  I’m learning so much and am evolving every day, I feel like a sponge. 

Because I know so many people in various artistic disciplines, co-creation is also interesting.

UPSTAGE

You’re quite young relatively speaking. According to Mirror not yet 24. You have a pretty impressive résumé for someone your age.  People will remember you from a play at Mainline Theatre: The Mid-life Crisis of Dionysus with a much-anticipated nude scene.

I see that you have your fingers in a ton of different artistic endeavours; theatre film, graphic novels, drawing and fashion. Is there a particular medium you see yourself focusing on?

HASSOUNÉ

I’m trying to bring it all into one.  My focus is I’m an actor and so much orbits around it. I’m trying to understand how to fuse everything into one. Because I know so many people in various artistic disciplines, co-creation is also interesting.

UPSTAGE

Here’s hoping you never have to choose which one to focus on.

Centaur Theatre

To March  4