Summer 2020. An artist father, whose projects have been canceled, embarks on a road trip with his six-year-old daughter, traveling from southeastern New Brunswick to the Laurentian Mountains.

Along the way, the father realizes that being a parent means constantly engaging in a dialogue with the child he once was. The journey transforms into an exploration of the inner landscape we all carry, an intimate encounter with the griefs that are harder to let go of.

A theatrical narrative brought to life by its author and performer, Marc-André Charron, the piece unfolds to the captivating live music of Maggie Savoie and Sylvie Boulianne—brilliant Acadian musicians hailing from northwestern New Brunswick and southwestern Nova Scotia. They compose original pieces that serve as both a textured backdrop and musical interludes.

Charron, accompanied by the gentle and radiant music of his collaborators, shifts seamlessly between portraying the Father, the Daughter, the Girlfriend, the Mother, and a host of other characters, all with disarming simplicity.

From the author

In the Great Doubts that confronted me while writing this text, there was one voice, right there in my face, megaphone in hand, that kept repeating: Who’s going to care about this? Your little story, your little grief. Who’s going to want to spend their time listening to that? You’re sad, boo hoo, who cares?

He stuck around, patiently waiting for an answer. I didn’t have one.

But as I began sharing this project with others, I quickly realized I wasn’t alone. About 15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and nearly 25% of couples or individuals hoping for a child will go through it. And even though it’s a relatively common event, usually not medically dangerous, it’s not something we talk about much. Maybe because there’s so little tangible to hold on to. Maybe because of sexism. Maybe for a thousand other reasons. But the fact remains: for me—and clearly for many others—it was a major life event.

As happens whenever we dare speak about something that truly touches people, many, many came to share their own stories with me.

Perhaps because I approach it from the father’s perspective, a few men came to see me, eyes full of tears, sometimes offering only a handshake and a long, steady look. And if it were just for that, this project would’ve already been worth it.

Did I conquer that Great Doubt? Nope. Not even close. It’s still there, planted firmly in its seat in the rehearsal room, staring me down, calling out my arrogance every time the tone of a sentence—or worse, a silence—doesn’t feel quite right yet.

I’ve come to realize that this Great Doubt isn’t just a shitty little chimera representing my insecurities (though that’s certainly part of it). It’s one of the main characters in this story. The doubt of adulthood. Of parenthood. Hesitation, maybe, as a remedy for pride.

So here I am, still slightly floored by the fact that this project even exists, sharing it with you.

Welcome to my head. Try not to judge the mess.

— Marc-André Charron
Author, Hippocampe

« I wanted this so much. I wanted this so much. I’m going to be a dad. »

« In our minds, in our dreams, there will exist a trail of breadcrumbs that no one will be able to follow through the forest. »

« But I won’t be the father of what is growing inside her at that moment. That child will never see the light of day. »

Trailer

Cast

Actor | Author

For 15 years, Marc-André Charron has been creating bold, engaging theatre. He combines a playful and rebellious approach to performance with a commitment to collective experiences that resonate with audiences. A graduate of the École Jacques Lecoq in Paris and the London International School of Performing Arts, he has directed productions in Canada and abroad, collaborating with artists from diverse cultures and disciplines.
Marc-André lives in Moncton, New Brunswick, with his beloved partner, daughter, and their beautiful spotted cat in a house with a lovely garden.

Actor

A graduate in theatre theory and dramaturgy, Lionel Lehouillier is a director, writer, and actor. Straddling the line between theatre and social activism, he uses unconventional theatrical methods to foster dialogue between drama and activism.
In 2022, Lionel toured Canada with UN.DEUX.TROIS. (NAC, Orange Noyée). In 2023, he co-produced, wrote, and performed in Laitue Matinal·e (Catapulte/Trillium) and starred in Mesdames et Messieurs, garçons et filles (Vox), two shows focused on transgender identities.
Currently, in co-production with Vox Théâtre and Théâtre de la Vieille 17, he is working on Les Enfants Valises (fall 2026), a production about LGBTQ parenting, Deaf culture, and neurodivergence. His other project, 1-90 Perreault Est, delves into Rouyn-Noranda’s criminal history through the story of his grandfather, a "notorious recidivist."
Since fall 2024, Lionel has been the TD Associate Artist at Théâtre de la Vieille 17. This season, he will also perform in Cage à requins (Les Feuilles Vives/Théâtre de l’île), Amphibien (TPA/Vieille 17), and Hippocampe (Satellite Théâtre).

Musical Composition and Performance

Maggie Savoie began her career in 2015 with her album Le Sage du Bois de Chauffage, produced in her home studio while performing as a one-woman band. Since then, she has captured the attention of radio stations and performed across Canada and Europe in a trio with violinist Marie-Andrée Gaudet and double bassist Rémi Arsenault.
Her EP On court (2017) and the album Tumeur à l’égo (2018), which won an award at the Music NB Gala, cemented her reputation. She is also a member of the all-female group Les Bluecharms, which tours New Brunswick, France, and Spain. Additionally, she accompanies artist Chloé Brault on guitar and drums for certain tours.
In 2021, she received the Édith Butler Award at the SPACQ Gala and released the album Appalaches, produced by Mike Trask. For this album, she collaborated with six musicians: Marie-Andrée Gaudet, Monica Ouellette, Chloé Brault, Amélie Richard, Maxine Maillet, and Laura Perry.
In 2024, her song Comme un arbre, which she wrote and performed, won Song of the Year at the Music NB Awards. Primarily a guitarist, her music is characterized by simple yet intricate melodies, blending folk foundations with blues, soul, and rock influences.
Recently, she has been accompanying artist Sylvie Boulianne on guitar and composing the soundtrack for Marc-André Charron’s play Hippocampe. Additionally, as a recipient of a Canada Council for the Arts creation grant, Maggie is currently exploring and creating new music for an upcoming release.

Musical Composition and Performance

Sylvie, originally from Baie Sainte-Marie, Nova Scotia, grew up to the rhythm of ocean waves and the traditional and folk melodies played by her family and friends.
Her diverse career eventually led her to become a graphic designer, but music has always held a special place in her heart—a faithful companion to everything else she’s done. Over time, Sylvie found the right people to collaborate with and decided it was finally time to share her own musical creations, patiently woven over the years.
Her music reflects not only her talent, but also her deep connection to her roots, the natural beauty of her coastal village, and the rich cultural tapestry that has shaped her artistic voice. It is a moving testament to her journey—a harmonious blend of tradition and creativity that resonates with the soul and embodies the spirit of a passionate artist, ready to share it with the world.

Creative team

Director

Caroline Bélisle is an actress, playwright, and unapologetically outspoken feminist working primarily in the Moncton, New Brunswick, area. A graduate of the Playwriting program at Canada’s National Theatre School, she also completed her acting training at the Université de Moncton.
Hippocampe marks her directorial debut. She has previously collaborated closely with Satellite Théâtre, particularly on the series of monologues in the promenade production Pépins - un parcours de petites détresses, where she also lent her body and voice to the performance. This text earned her the Éloize Award for Theatre Artist of the Year in 2022.
She won the prestigious Gratien-Gélinas Prize for her play Les remugles ou La danse nuptiale est une langue morte, which was recently produced by Théâtre l’Escaouette and published by Éditions Perce-Neige. The play was subsequently nominated for the Governor General’s Literary Awards, the Antonine-Maillet-Acadie-Vie Prize, and won her the Éloize Award for Theatre Artist of the Year in 2024.
In recent years, she has authored Dîner pour deux, produced by Théâtre populaire d’Acadie; Camping sauvage et domestique, staged in the summer of 2022 by Théâtre des Béloufilles; and Tuiles, a production by the graduating class of Université de Moncton’s Drama Department.
She is also the creator of the youth puppet theatre series Nounours, produced by Pays de la Sagouine, with its first children’s album published by Éditions Bouton d’or d’Acadie.
As an actress, she was recently seen in Un. Deux. Trois. by Mani Soleymanlou, Découronné.e.s directed by Christian Lapointe, and the television series Garde partagée on Unis TV.

Trained in acting at the Université de Moncton, Ludger Beaulieu is an actor, creator, and director. In 2017-2018, he completed a residency in directing and creation at Canada’s National Theatre School.
In 2012, he co-founded Théâtre la Cigogne, a creative company that serves as a springboard for emerging Acadian artists. With this company, he contributed to the creation of Paul et la mer, VIOLENCES, and Le froid est un détail de l’hiver.
On stage, he has performed in productions such as Bump: la secousse de Springhill, Cul-de-sac, Winslow, Tsunami, Les remugles, Far Away, Overlap, Les limites du bruit possible, and Bouée. His recent directing credits include Dîner pour deux and Kick. Ludger has also appeared on television in series such as Le siège, Les Newbies, En résidence, and Garde Partagée. On the big screen, he was featured in L’ordre secret by Phil Comeau. Recently, he wrote and directed episodes of Sexe et Techno and Les quatre coins de l’assiette.

Director

Photo and Video Design

Annie France Noël is a visual artist and photographer. From a young age, she cultivated an intimate relationship with light and observation, elements that underpin her practice. Through her work, she translates the invisible into evocative, sensitive imagery, exploring themes of intimacy, vulnerability, and shared human experiences.
Annie France’s artistry has garnered numerous accolades, including being a three-time finalist for the New Generation Photographers Award and winning the bronze medal in photography at the VIII Francophonie Games in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Her collaborations extend to cultural organizations like the Frye Festival and Acadie Rock, as well as notable figures in the Acadian cultural scene, such as Les Hay Babies, Lisa LeBlanc, and Rémi Belliveau.
With Hippocampe, Annie France debuts as a video designer for theatre, a venture that aligns with her interdisciplinary interests and expands her visual language. Drawing on projection and movement, she creates a visual narrative that complements the scenography and themes of the play. Annie France lives and works in Moncton, continuing to explore dynamics of perception, parenthood, and identity in her artistic practice.

Set Design | Costumes and Props

Claudie Landry, originally from Shédiac, New Brunswick, began her artistic journey with a Bachelor of Visual Arts from the Université de Moncton. Drawn to the performing arts from an early age, she later pursued further studies in Set and Costume Design at the National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal.
Shortly after graduating, she returned to Acadie, where she now works primarily in costume design for theatre and television.
Claudie is a frequent collaborator with Théâtre l’Escaouette, Théâtre populaire d’Acadie, and Satellite Théâtre.
She is passionate about the creative space theatre offers—a space where each production opens up new possibilities to craft a unique visual language and tell stories through fabric, texture, and form.

Lighting Design

Nathan Finnamore is passionate about lighting design and creating unconventional videos. He proudly serves as the Technical Director at the Aberdeen Cultural Centre in Moncton and also works as a technician at the Capitol Theatre.
He studied technical production for theatre and live events at Sheridan College in Ontario and completed training in steel fabrication and welding at CCNB in Moncton. With such a diverse skill set, Nathan is equipped to take on any stage-related project.

A graduate of the Drama Department at the Université de Moncton in 2021, Jacques André Lévesque continues his ascent in the world of theatre. He delivered a standout performance as Frank Dolorenzo in the play Never Swim Alone by Daniel MacIvor (translated by Herménégilde Chiasson) at Théâtre l’Escaouette (directed by Marcia Babineau). He then took on the role of the Stranger in the touring production Les racines du cimetière (directed by Stacy Arseneault).
In addition to his theatrical work, Jacques André has appeared in several media and television productions. Since 2015, he has lent his voice as a radio host and commentator.

Assistant Director

Technical Direction & Stage Management

Originally from northwestern New Brunswick, Emmanuel has specialized in visual media since 2007. Starting with photography, he expanded into video, editing, color grading, and 360-degree photography. His passion for light led him to work as a lighting designer on film sets and later in post-production. For over a decade, Emmanuel has been working as a freelance photographer and colorist in the Moncton area. Between projects, you’ll likely find him in a hammock deep in the woods, far from civilization.

Production & Stage Management

Originally from Moncton, Gabrielle grew up behind the scenes of the local theatre community, starting with theatre classes at the Capitol and later joining the ranks of ImproNB. She continued her education at Mount Allison University, where she combined her intellectual curiosity with her artistic passion. She proudly holds a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE program inspired by Oxford) and a minor in Drama. Upon graduation, the Drama Department awarded her the J.E.A. Crake Performance Award in Drama.
After a brief stay in Vancouver to complete her Master’s in Communications and gaining experience in economic development and event production, Gabrielle has enthusiastically returned to Moncton’s artistic scene, ready to contribute her unique blend of creative insight and critical thinking.

Production Management Support

Joëlle Tougas has lived in Moncton for eight years. After graduating from the École supérieure de Théâtre (UQAM) in 2002, she held roles as stage manager, production and tour manager, head machinist, and stage technician for numerous companies in Quebec and New Brunswick, including Dynamo Théâtre, Théâtre de la Pire Espèce, Samsara Théâtre, Théâtre I.N.K., and others. She accompanied these companies throughout their creative processes, traveling across Canada, the U.S., and Europe for various projects.
In 2007, Joëlle co-founded Théâtre À l’Envers (TAE), serving as General Director, Treasurer, and Production Director for five years. She later took on similar roles with Satellite Théâtre, assisting in its relocation to Acadie.
Over the past few years, Joëlle has held interim positions as Deputy Director at the Aberdeen Cultural Centre and managed production and logistics for events such as Les Éloizes, Acadie Rock, FICFA, and the 2019 World Acadian Congress. She was the Production Director for the television show Acadie Road (a Gémeaux finalist) and Tableau de Backyard, both aired on ICI Première. She was Production Director for Les Éloizes at the Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick (AAAPNB) from 2023 to 2025.

Xavier Richard is a versatile professional in music and artistic production, originally from New Brunswick. Initially trained in sound engineering at McKenzie College, he later earned a Bachelor of Music with a specialization in classical guitar from the Université de Moncton, enhancing both his technical and artistic skills.
Throughout his career, Xavier has distinguished himself in recording, mixing, mastering, and production, contributing to various musical, theatrical, dance, and live concert projects. As a composer and technical director for theatre, he has created music for several productions, including Overlap, Bouée, and the series SVR. He also served as technical director during the creation and tours of Overlap, Les limites du bruit possible, and Bouée.
Over the years, Xavier has shared his expertise as a music technician at the Université de Moncton, recording and processing numerous concerts and recitals, ensuring the highest quality for musical events. His dedication to fostering emerging talent led to the creation of a stage technical training program, providing valuable opportunities for young artists and technicians.
Currently, as the Assistant Executive Director at the Aberdeen Cultural Centre, Xavier plays a key role in ensuring the quality of cultural activities while sharing his expertise across various artistic domains.

Technical Direction Support

Producer

Mylène Després is a producer at Satellite Théâtre in Moncton, New Brunswick, where she contributes to bold and innovative artistic projects. Guided by a collaborative and inclusive approach, she strives to highlight marginalized voices while fostering strong connections within communities. With solid experience in entrepreneurship, project management, and organizational development, Mylène stands out for her unifying energy and creative spirit.
As the founder of initiatives such as La Station Workspace and the Community Incubator, Mylène has built bridges between entrepreneurs, artists, and community organizations. Her work spans a wide range of projects, from developing digital platforms to organizing cultural events, all while actively supporting professionals in the artistic and social sectors.
Her contributions have been recognized on multiple occasions, including being named one of Greater Moncton’s Top 20 Under 40 in 2020. She has also been a finalist for the Champion of Diversity award at the Night of Influence Awards, the Environmental Excellence Award from the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce, and the Business of the Year title from the Conseil économique du Nouveau-Brunswick. Committed to inclusive and innovative initiatives, Mylène is a prominent figure in the Acadian cultural landscape, where she passionately works to strengthen connections between art and the community.

Frederick Hryszyn is a multidisciplinary artist with extensive experience, primarily working as a community organizer. Trained as a graphic designer and illustrator, he channels his passion for communication and marketing into celebrating and promoting cultural and community initiatives. This focus has led to a varied and fulfilling career, positively impacting communities by creating and implementing programs and projects that support and include underserved populations.