JEAN-CLAUDE EUGENE
Singer, Actor, Director
Jean-Claude Eugene’s artistic talent was already evident in the 1970’s when, as a student at the College Notre-Dame (CND) du Cap Haitien, Haiti, he impressed audiences with his acting and singing abilities. Under the direction of Marcel Bedard, a Sorbonne trained priest and scholar, Jean-Claude performed lead parts in numerous Haitian and French plays by Dominique Hyppolite, Jacques Roumain, Racine, Molière,etc. In addition to his acting, Jean Claude simultaneously pursued substantial musical training and taught French literature.
Jean-Claude studied Economics and International Finance at Pace University in New York, the New York Institute of Banking and Johns Hopkins to bolster his “other” professional life working in international finance for a U.S. federal agency. He however, remains at the forefront of the music world with seven albums, numerous concerts, tours and interviews. A very versatile singer-composer, Jean-Claude gives expression to the different moods of the human soul. His performances capture the essence of life on his native land in artistic works that are universal, timeless and “absolute”. His music can be described as a balanced mix of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and ballads of classical or jazz progressions.
Jean-Claude’s acting credits include his screen debut as Jean in Raoul Peck’s first movie “Haitian Corner”, his May 2003 performance at Canegie Hall in the musical “The Treasure of Toussaint”, his December 2004 performance at New York’s Lincoln Center in the musical “How Papa Noel Forgot Haiti” and his latest participation as Bruno in the first Haitian musical movie “ Madame ou Mademoiselle” that he co-directed. After moving to the Washington DC area in 1993, Jean-Claude created “Theatre Mapou”, with a group of very talented local actors. Under his artistic direction, the group has performed “Gouverneurs de la Rosée”, “Antigone” and “Mouche Defas”, in the U.S. and Canada. In Washington, Jean-Claude honed his skills in acting and directing at the Studio Theater Conservatory.