Art, Accents, and Authenticity: Inside the Creative Partnership of Jennifer & Laurence

An interview with Circonflexe participant Laurence Beaudoin Morin and Jennifer Roberts.

“First impression? It felt easy right away.”

When Jennifer Roberts, a theatre actor and freelance American Sign Language (ASL) and English interpreter, joined the Circonflexe Mentorship Program, she wasn't looking for standard grammar drills. Originally from Ontario, Jennifer had completed French immersion from Grade 4 to 12, but found it hard to apply classroom-based learning to real-world conversation and settings.

Seeking to connect with Montréal’s creative community, Jennifer was paired with mentor Laurence Beaudoin Morin, a performance artist and museum educator at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal (MBAM).

It turned out to be a natural match. As Laurence puts it, their practices are “cousins,” creating a space where they can learn a lot from one another. It was also a meaningful pairing because Laurence saw an opportunity to help Jennifer build connections within Montréal’s creative community. As she explains:

“It’s also my role to build connections and introduce her to people who are meaningful to her work, and to help her create professional contacts.”

Jennifer playfully describes Circonflexe as a « dating app for French, » noting that finding the right personal fit makes all the difference. Because both women are freelance artists with busy schedules, they established a relaxed meeting rhythm: gathering once a month for long, one- to two-hour conversations.  The connection came naturally, and before long, their conversations began to flow effortlessly. 

“At one point we went from coffee to beer.”

To help Jennifer navigate local cultural references and feel more at ease with her bilingual peers, Laurence created a personalized “Pop Culture 101” guide. Their sessions went beyond language practice: Jennifer watched iconic Québec films like C.R.A.Z.Y.  and Laurence shared links to arts festivals and cultural events.

Their mentorship also brought art and culture into their everyday lives as they explored each other’s worlds. Laurence invited Jennifer and her child to discover the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal, inspiring them to visit the museum for the first time.

Along the way, they practiced French terminology related to dubbing, voice work, and playwriting, while Laurence gained a new perspective on Jennifer’s world of ASL and theatre. As Laurence puts it:

“We’re really stepping into each other’s worlds, and that’s enriching for our conversations.”

A pivotal moment in their mentorship occurred when Jennifer shared a one-woman play about her life that she’d written in English and ASL. She felt hesitant about translating and performing it in French; she planned to hire a French actor to play herself because she worried about her accent.

Laurence offered a perspective that shifted Jennifer’s mindset toward self-compassion:

« When a performer is in front of us with their heart open and being so vulnerable, we don't judge their accent. Everyone has an accent, and what matters is the generosity of sharing. »

This conversation reminded Jennifer of a quote from a former university classmate: « When you hear an accent, you hear an entire ecosystem—their history, their family, and where they come from ».

By moving away from strict perfectionism, Circonflexe helped Jennifer focus on real human connection and gave her the courage to break through mental obstacles and envision performing in French. As Jennifer reflects: « Circonflexe allowed me to embrace the level I'm at and to just put more effort in: effort over results. It took off the scary part ».

What began as a language partnership has grown into a lasting friendship, extending beyond the formal cohort. For Jennifer, the experience has shifted her perspective from feeling like, “I’m not supposed to be here,” or “I’m not supposed to do this,” to feeling a genuine sense of belonging and connection.

As Jennifer puts it:

“Laurence is trying to understand me, and I’m trying to understand her; we’re connecting.”