Comed’IÉSEG rocks the Théâtre Sébastopol with its musical “Requiem for a Youth”
On February 11th, the Théâtre Sébastopol in Lille hosted “Requiem for a Youth,” the annual musical by the Comed’IÉSEG association. Supported by a passionate troupe of IÉSEG students, this event once again showcased the talent, creativity, and commitment of the students. This project, organized by a talented team, brought together dancers and singers on stage to offer an unforgettable evening to over 1,200 attendees.
A project led by Adam TUCKER, president of Comed’IÉSEG
At the helm of this venture was Adam TUCKER, chairman of the association and a third-year student in the Grande École Program. Adam dedicates his energy to this association, which brings together nearly 35 active members, aside from the artists.
His role as supervisor involved coordinating the five branches of the association: sponsorship, communication, events, classical theater, and, of course, the musical. His biggest challenge? Ensuring communication between the different branches to guarantee that everyone was moving in the same direction. “The hardest part is balancing the professional and friendly aspects, because after so many years working together, we become very close. But, as president, I had to learn how to manage friends, which isn’t always simple!”
Adam learned to master the “art of compromise,” which is one of the most valuable skills he had developed. “We all had the same goal: to create the best musical possible. However, we often had to debate the best ways to achieve that, and that’s where compromise came into play,” he explains. Thanks to active listening and strong leadership, he was able to motivate and guide the team towards success while allowing everyone to have a voice. “I had to be proactive and take action, and this helped me strengthen my leadership skills,” he adds.
His experience at IÉSEG was pivotal. “Group work taught me how to collaborate effectively with others, rely on their skills, and create an efficient group dynamic.” For him, student associations are the perfect bridge between student life and the professional world. After two and a half years with Comed’IÉSEG, Adam feels ready to dive into the professional world with solid experience in artistic project management. He is aiming for a career in audiovisual production, a field he is deeply passionate about.
Maud BALTHASAR: managing the artistic and logistical aspects of a large-scale project
On the other hand, Maud BALTHASAR, head of the musical theater division of Comed’IÉSEG and a fourth-year student in the Grande École Program, took on a significant challenge. Having joined the previous year as an assistant director, she took the reins of this artistic project. “Managing around forty people while ensuring artistic and logistical cohesion was a complex but incredibly rewarding task,” she explains. She took on this role seriously, spending hours coordinating rehearsals, handling logistics with the Théâtre Sébastopol, and ensuring good relations between the creative teams and artists. She also had to handle the pressure of production and manage the many challenges of leading a large troupe where everyone had their own specific needs and expectations.
Maud worked tirelessly. “Between auditions, rehearsals, negotiations with vendors, and last-minute crises, it was a whirlwind of tasks that required me to always be on top of things,” she admits. Managing the unexpected, navigating heated discussions, and maintaining flawless organization were key points. But her determination to see the project through and her ability to motivate the team made the difference. “When the curtains opened, seeing the artists flourish on stage was a very powerful moment.”
Leadership was crucial for Maud. “Stress was everywhere, but it was creative stress, driven by the desire to succeed together,” she says. As she continues her studies in a Master’s in Marketing at McGill University in Canada this September, she keeps the impact of this experience in mind and is determined to stay in the world of music and event management. An industry, she believes, that combines passion and hard work in an unparalleled way.
Marie-Alix DAUCHEZ, an actress who evolved with her character
Marie-Alix DAUCHEZ, also a student in the Grande École Program, played the role of Alice in Comed’IÉSEG’s musical. She captivated the audience with her performance. The character she portrayed, a young woman trapped in a toxic love story who evolves throughout the play, deeply touched her. “This role really touched me because I found myself in the character. I had to step out of my comfort zone to convey her emotions and growth through dance and singing, which was a challenge for me,” says Marie-Alix.
The hard work she put in leading up to the performance, between long hours of rehearsals, dance, and singing training, was a real challenge. She had to learn to balance rigor and emotion. “The rehearsals were intense, and the physical and vocal preparation was a real challenge. We had to be in shape every day and emotionally present for each scene. But it was in this hard work that I found true satisfaction,” she recalls.
Although Marie-Alix doesn’t plan to pursue a career in musical theater, she now views this experience as a true hobby that boosted her confidence. “This adventure has taught me a lot personally, and I’ll always have a touching memory of it. It’s a world that allowed me to push myself and discover aspects of myself I didn’t even expect.”
A triumph for IÉSEG
The event highlighted the talent within IÉSEG. The students were able to produce an artistic project of professional quality. The Théâtre Sébastopol, an iconic venue in Lille, was the perfect setting for this evening, marking their high-level work.
The 2025 edition of the Comed’IÉSEG musical made a lasting impression and promises even more success for the years to come!
They contributed to the success of “Requiem for a Youth”
Comed’IÉSEG staff:
Maud BALTHASAR, Alix BORANIAN, Anaelle CONORT, Manon DE RIVALS-MAZERES, Marine Paul DUBOIS TAINE, Emma HAMDAI, Loann LECLERQ, Gaston LECOUTRE, Jean LE PORT, Caroline LENTZ, Gabriel MALPHETTES, Colomba OBERTI, Lucie QUERE, Lalie TONNELIER, Adam TUCKER, Gaspard VILLET
Actors:
Arthur BERNET, Bertille BORNENS, Jeanne BORNICHE, George BOUËDO, Killian BOURHIS, Elisa CAILLIEZ, Pierre CAGNIN, Marie-Alix DAUCHEZ, Augustin DEFFIS, Lison DUBUS, Victoria SANI