We, the students of the English European Section (SEA), attended an English-language play entitled Rosa Parks. It depicted the story of this pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement.
A French theatre company performing in English
What made the experience particularly compelling was that the play was performed by a French company, yet entirely in English. Following the performance, we had the opportunity to ask the four actors a number of questions. They ranged in age from 20 to 37 and have been touring extensively across France (including Marseille and Dijon), as well as Switzerland and Belgium.
Actors who are not native English speakers
We were genuinely surprised to learn that none of the four actors are native English speakers. Nevertheless, they delivered their lines without any discernible French accent. How did they achieve this? Some of them learned English by watching MTV, Disney Channel, or Netflix with subtitles. Others had lived abroad, in Florida or South Africa. One actor originally comes from Cameroon, a bilingual French-English country.
Rigorous language training
They also worked with an accent coach to master the Alabama accent (for Rosa Parks) as well as the South African accent for another play about Nelson Mandela. The rehearsal process lasted five months in total, two of which were conducted over Zoom and three in person. Their scripts are approximately 45 to 50 pages long.
Authentic exchanges in English
During the Q&A session, the actors answered our questions with remarkable honesty. They discussed their passion for acting, the precarious nature of their profession, and the challenges faced by Black actors in French theatre and cinema. All of this was expressed in clear, spontaneous, and accessible English.
Why this experience is valuable for our SEA section
This experience demonstrated that English can be learned and practised far beyond the confines of textbooks — through theatre, music, and television series. English becomes a living tool for telling important stories. As students of the European Section, we were able to interact directly with performers in their working language.
Conclusion
Attending an English-language play and subsequently engaging in conversation with the actors is a highly motivating educational activity. It combines cultural discovery, historical awareness, social commitment, and authentic language practice. For our SEA class, this is precisely the kind of experience that brings meaning to our English studies.
