LEWISTON — Marie Cormier of Oakland will present the monologue “La Souillonne,” written by award-winning Franco-American author Normand Beaupré of Biddeford, at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn campus.

The performance on Saturday, Feb. 20, will also include an author review and readings from a new contemporary Franco-American anthology titled “Voix Francophones de chez nous – contes et histoires,” edited by Beaupré.

The character of “La Souillonne” was taken from Beaupré’s first novel, “Le Petit Mangeur de Fleurs,” an autobiographical novel that came out in 1999. The performance consists of reminiscences by a 69-year-old former textile millworker, played by Cormier, who reflects on her life.

It is performed entirely in the regional French vernacular still spoken in many Franco-American homes. The Souillonne reveals, through her stories, a life full of setbacks, low self-esteem and friendships. At times during the one-hour performance, she pours out her heart and expresses her view of things.

Besides several performances in Maine, this dramatic monologue has been performed in Paris, Dijon and Angers, as well as in Lamèque, New Brunswick.

Born in Lamèque, Cormier started doing theater as a young student. She has performed worldwide. Her theatrical performances include written publications, radio and television.

A native of Maine, Beaupré obtained both a masters and a doctorate in French literature from Brown University. He is presently Professor Emeritus at the University of New England, where he has taught for more than 30 years. He writes both in French and in English. All told, he has published 11 literary works, including his latest novel in English based on the life of Van Gogh in Arles and the anthology of tales and stories in French with 10 collaborators. He was decorated with the Order of Arts and Literature by the French government in 2008 for his outstanding contribution to French culture.

Several authors who contributed to Beaupré’s anthology will be in attendance for that portion of the program.

The event, free and open to the public, is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. in room 170 at L-A College, 51 Westminster St. Light refreshments will be served.

The University of Southern Maine’s Franco-American Collection is one of the largest repositories of Franco-American archival material in the state and is open to the public. The collection’s holdings cover local history, government, religion, language, education, industry, sports and the arts.

For more information, call 753-6545 or visit usm.maine.edu/lac/franco.