Paul Thompson (playwright)

Paul Thompson in 2007

Paul Thompson O.C. (born May 4, 1940 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island)[1] is a Canadian playwright and theatre director.[1] Best known for his term as artistic director of Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto, Ontario from 1970 to 1982,[1] Thompson was known for pioneering techniques of collective creation, in which actors, playwrights and directors would collaborate on the creation of a play through field research and acting improvisations.[1] Plays on which Thompson was credited as a primary or collaborating writer during this era included Doukhobors (1970), The Farm Show (1972), 1837: The Farmers' Revolt (1973, with Rick Salutin), I Love You, Baby Blue (1975), Far As the Eye Can See (1977, with Rudy Wiebe) and Maggie and Pierre (1980, with Linda Griffiths).[1]

Thompson later served as director general of the National Theatre School in Montreal, Quebec from 1987 to 1994.[1] He continues to direct theatre productions for Theatre Passe Muraille, Centaur Theatre, Alberta Theatre Projects, the Blyth Festival, Native Earth Performing Arts and De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group.[1]

Thompson was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2008, for his "profound influence on Canadian theatre."[2]

Thompson was granted an honorary doctorate by Algoma University in 2017.[3]

He is married to actress Anne Anglin.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Paul Thompson Archived 2012-10-14 at the Wayback Machine at The Canadian Encyclopedia.
  2. ^ "Order of Canada: Paul Thompson". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  3. ^ https://ww2.algomau.ca/news/algoma-u-convocation-honours-biggest-graduating-class/[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ "Thompson to be awarded GG honour". Stratford Beacon-Herald, March 5, 2011.


Stub icon

This article about a Canadian playwright is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.