Roles: Head writer, associate producer, office manager
Projects: Homegrown Script Project
The Bicentennial Theatre is a small, locally-operated theatre and community centre in my hometown of Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia. It brings in acts from across Canada but also produces work sourced directly from the community.
I was originally involved with the theatre through Musquodoboit Rural High School, which produces musicals there every other year. In 2009, a request-for-proposals was circulated to create a concept for a 2011 production. I pitched a project that centered on developing a story collaboratively with a group of local kids.
I was hired by the theatre to oversee story development, as well as fulfill other company duties, mostly involving event management and show coordination. I worked with theatre staff to identify events and to set goals and strategy for the production project.
A view of the stage at the Bicentennial Theatre. The painting is by William Gill, and is one of the last surviving pieces of landscape stage art in use.
On schedule in July 2010 I delivered a full-length play concepted and written by local students at the school. I did several passes for writing myself but also worked closely with the kids to teach them revision and editing, as well as to make sure their unique voice remained a part of the final experience.