Rose-Alma Ouellette (August 25, 1903 - September 14, 1996) also known
by her stage name La Poune was a Quebec actress, comedian, theatre
manager and artistic director. Ouellette was born to François
Ouellette and Josephine Lasanté in the faubourg à M’lasse, a
working-class neighbourhood in Montréal, Quebec. In her teens, she
dropped out of school and worked at a shoe factory in order to provide
income for her large family. In the later part of her career, she
appeared in film and on television, but she is most remembered for her
work on stage. She is known as the first woman ever to have directed
two individual playhouses in North America.Ouellette began her career
at the age of 12, when she won several local singing and theater
contests. At age 19, she was noticed by Paul Hébert after performing
at the Ouimetoscope and Lune rousse theatres in Montréal. She formed
a duo with Olivier Guimond (senior), which quickly became popular
throughout Québec. Ouellette called herself "Casserole" at first, but
eventually took the stage name "La Poune" in order to complement
Guimond’s own stage name, "Ti-Zoune."Ouellette was a leading figure
of the very popular burlesque and vaudeville genres which dominated
the theatrical scene in Montreal from the 1920s until the 1960s. From
1936 to 1953, Ouellette was in charge of the Théâtre National. In
1958 she launched a career in cabaret that lasted more than 20 years.
In the late 60s and early 70s, she worked with Gilles Latulippe at the
Théâtre des Variétés of Montreal. Between 1971 and 1980, she
played opposite Juliette Pétrie, Gerry Morelle, Simone Mercier,
Gaston Boileau and Louis Armel. In 1982, she appeared as madame Jeanne
Renoir in Scandale; she has also made various television appearances.
Her 75-year career eventually made her a cultural icon in Quebec.She
made her television debut in "Les Deux Valses," a play by André
Laurendeau presented by the SRC in 1960. Later in 1960 she appeared in
the comedy series "Télé-surprise" (CFTM). She played occasional
roles in the TV soap operas "Rue des pignons" (SRC, 1966-1977),
"Chère Isabelle" (TVA, 1976-1977), "Les Brillant" (TVA, 1979-1982)
and "Les Moineau et les Pinson" (TVA, 1982-1985).
by her stage name La Poune was a Quebec actress, comedian, theatre
manager and artistic director. Ouellette was born to François
Ouellette and Josephine Lasanté in the faubourg à M’lasse, a
working-class neighbourhood in Montréal, Quebec. In her teens, she
dropped out of school and worked at a shoe factory in order to provide
income for her large family. In the later part of her career, she
appeared in film and on television, but she is most remembered for her
work on stage. She is known as the first woman ever to have directed
two individual playhouses in North America.Ouellette began her career
at the age of 12, when she won several local singing and theater
contests. At age 19, she was noticed by Paul Hébert after performing
at the Ouimetoscope and Lune rousse theatres in Montréal. She formed
a duo with Olivier Guimond (senior), which quickly became popular
throughout Québec. Ouellette called herself "Casserole" at first, but
eventually took the stage name "La Poune" in order to complement
Guimond’s own stage name, "Ti-Zoune."Ouellette was a leading figure
of the very popular burlesque and vaudeville genres which dominated
the theatrical scene in Montreal from the 1920s until the 1960s. From
1936 to 1953, Ouellette was in charge of the Théâtre National. In
1958 she launched a career in cabaret that lasted more than 20 years.
In the late 60s and early 70s, she worked with Gilles Latulippe at the
Théâtre des Variétés of Montreal. Between 1971 and 1980, she
played opposite Juliette Pétrie, Gerry Morelle, Simone Mercier,
Gaston Boileau and Louis Armel. In 1982, she appeared as madame Jeanne
Renoir in Scandale; she has also made various television appearances.
Her 75-year career eventually made her a cultural icon in Quebec.She
made her television debut in "Les Deux Valses," a play by André
Laurendeau presented by the SRC in 1960. Later in 1960 she appeared in
the comedy series "Télé-surprise" (CFTM). She played occasional
roles in the TV soap operas "Rue des pignons" (SRC, 1966-1977),
"Chère Isabelle" (TVA, 1976-1977), "Les Brillant" (TVA, 1979-1982)
and "Les Moineau et les Pinson" (TVA, 1982-1985).
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