Playworks 2021
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** Content is suitable for mature audiences.
Directing 35
Victoria School has established a curriculum for those students who wish to focus on the art of directing for the stage. Students examine firsthand the role of the director for the modern theatre. Students in Directing 35 are given the opportunity to direct a dramatic presentation from script selection through casting and rehearsals to performance and reflection.
The PlayWorks Festival is the annual celebration of the work of the Directing 35 students at Victoria School of the Arts. While the interpretive and creative journeys of these 23 artists have been unique, each has been successful in meeting the challenges presented by script and company. We congratulate them on their success and look forward to sharing their stories!
Traditionally, theatre festivals invite an adjudicator to lead a process of critique and reflection. As PlayWorks has evolved away from a competitive model, we have chosen an approach of mentorship. This year the Directing 35 class welcomed Greg Dowler-Coltman into our process. Greg met with the students during their rehearsal process and after each recording to host conversations on the learning that has taken place for our performance ensembles. We are thankful for Greg’s insight and words of encouragement!
Greg Dowler-Coltman
Greg or Mr. DC, brought a background in theatre and education to Victoria School of the Arts, when he joined the staff in 1999. For 20 years, he enjoyed the opportunity to teach incredible students of Acting, Drama and Directing, including the 435 directors who brought their one acts to the stage as a part of the PlayWorks Festival!
Between 1999 and 2019, Greg directed 25 mainstage productions at Vic, including Into the Woods (twice), Seussical the Musical, the Western Canadian premiere of Thoroughly Modern Millie, the Canadian premiere of Caryl Churchill’s Love and Information, Big Fish, In The Heights and #starcrossedlove@vic – Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story in Repertory alongside co-director, Ms Witte.
In 2019, Greg left teaching to launch an Executive Coaching and Leadership Development business (www.dowlercoltman.com) alongside his wife and partner, Tami. Leading with curiosity, Greg embraces life as an experiment, in which we are invited to listen deeply, examine courageously, explore perspectives and build empathetic narratives that reveal themes, patterns and possibilities. It is this sense of curiosity and a continued joy in celebrating others’ growth, that makes this return ‘home’ to PlayWorks truly special.
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Written by Michele Markarian Directed by Mercades Quaife |
Written by Michael Bigelow Dixon & Valerie Smith Directed by Lily Gidych |
Written by Don Nigro Directed by Ashauria Ogonoski |
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Written by Tasha Gordon-Solmon Directed by Gracie Carlaw |
Written by Don Nigro Directed by Anna Schmitz |
Written by Craig Wright Directed by Taj Zachow |
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Written by Yvette Nolan Directed by Penny Gullion |
Written by Libby Leonard Directed by Summer Fraleigh |
Written by David Gillies Directed by Maren McManus |
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Written by Don Nigro Directed by Lucia Rodriguez-Cavanagh |
Written by Eric Burchett Directed by Tarren Vercholuk |
Written by Marco Ramirez Directed by Meg Walker |
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Written by Don Nigro Directed by Amanda Bertrand |
Written by Patrick Gabridge Directed by Imogen Wynters |
Written by Rhea McCallum Directed by Dalianna Melgar |
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Written by Don Nigro Directed by Seun Olupinyo |
Mary Just Broke Up With This Guy Written by Garth Wingfield Directed by Marena Scharle |
Written by Jason Milligan Directed by Carys Jones |
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Written by Samuel Beckett Directed by Jordan Degeling |
Written by Jim Beaver Directed by Zaid Kaddoura |
Written by Kerri Kochanski Directed by Megan Strong |
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Written by Philip Vassalo Directed by Selina Yukselir |
Written by Claudia Haas Directed by Emily Brinco |