Scriptio Canada Theatre Page

Imagination is the thing by which I have lived and which informs every part of my life."

Robertson Davies

    Two Weeks With the Queen-
    The Seven Streams Of The River Ota-
    A Little Night Music-
    Fridak-
    High Life-
    The Cold War-
    Riot-
    A Line In The Sand-
    The Glorious Twelfth-
    Tinka's New Dress-
    2 Pianos 4 Hands-
    The Dead Souls-
    The Freud Project-

Most of us know these plays, narrowed down from 229 productions that was presented during the past theatre season was nominated for a Dora. For those not in the know, The Dora Mavor Moore Award is a coveted prize of any and all Canadian playwrights, for it is presented to the season's outstanding new play or muscial in the large-theatre division.

Most playwrights dream of the day where they work will be recognized for the contributions that they have made, and while Scriptio Canada is No Dora Award, we would like to do what we can to help encourage and support those among us to continue in their work and share their unique viewpoints with the rest of us who want to hear their message. To this end, we have solicited the support of Rebecca Cuthbertson, Education Associate in the Marketing and Communications Department of the Stratford Festival,, one of Canada's premier arts associations in North America, as Scriptio Canada is honoured to also have the participation of David Prosser, the Director of Literary Services of the Stratford Festival on our Honourary Theatre Committee as well as serving as judges in our Theatre Competition.

More great Canadian theatre talent has been contacted, and we hope that they will join in with the host of other Canadians who believe in supporting and encouraging the arts in Canada. As more actors, directors, and organizations lend their name and support to this endeavor, we will be adding them to this page in an update.

Writers wishing to enter the Scriptio Canada Playwright Competition please send an SASE for official entry form and guidelines to: Scriptio Canada
356 Ontario Street
Suite 135
Stratford, Ont.
N5A 3H9

We will not accept any entrys without our offical entry form to protect the rights of writers materials. Prizes range from Cash, to having readings/performances of winning materials! Email us for more information!

Robertson Davies Remembered

Robertson Davies, the internationally celebrated Canadian novelist and author of: Fifth Business, Tempest-Tost, World of Wonders, The Manticore, The Rebel Angels, The Lyre of Orpheus, left us on December 2, 1995. He died of a stroke at the age of 82. Davies, among other things, was a former actor, playwright, journalist and for many years held the title of Master of Massey College in Toronto..

"The worse artistic tragedy is not to be a failure, but just to fall short of the kind of success you have marked as your own."

He was also a supporter of the Stratford Festival from it's very inception. After his passing, celebrations of his work were held in both Toronto and New York.

"I like being a novelist for the same reason that Charles Dickens liked being a novelist. You can play all the parts, arrange the scenery, be the whole show, and nobody gets in the way.."

You know what I think is wrong? These letters. These goddamn letters. That's what's wrong with us, in my humble opinion. I know you more from your LETTERS than I do in person. Maybe that's why I was looking over your shoulder. I was looking for the person who's been in these letters all these years. or for the person who's NOT in these letters. I don't know. All I know is you're not quite the same when I see you, Andy. You're really not. I'm not saying you're a jerk in person. I'm not saying that at all. I'm just saying that all this letter-writing has messed us up. It's a bad habit. It's made us seem like people we're not. So maybe what was wrong was that there were two people missing in the Hotel Duncan that night: namely, the real you and the real me...

A.R. Gurney. Love Letters copyright 1989.

New Talented Writers Recognized in Dora Nominations.

While most feel that smaller productions do not have much of a change in the Dora competition, three of the five dramas nominated in 1996 midsize division (150-450 seats)- the Daniel MacIvor /Daniel Brooks collaboration Here Lies Henry: Lee McDougals High Life,: Jason Sherman's The Retreat were all considered by many to be heads above anything that most of the larger theatres had to offer for the 1996 nominations.

Also, some of the requirements for nominations are a bit on the strange side as well. Robert Lepage's wonderful The Seven Streams Of The River Ota garnered seven nominations, but sadly couldn't be considered for outstanding new play honours due to the fact that they play premiered outside Canada!

In the last voting, about 3,000 ballots went out to members of the Toronto Theatre Alliance, Canadian Actors Equity Association, and other theatre related organizations and began with 229 eligible productions, which were then whittled down to nominees from 67 different shows. The actual winners are actually decided by "Oscar" style voting.

"Population of Blyth: 1,000. Population of the Festival: 100. YOU WILL BE NOTICED!"

Blyth Festival Actors' Survival Guide.

" When famous people go to sleep at night, it's us they dream of, Artie. The famous ones - they're the real people. We're the creatures of their dreams. You're the dream. I'm the dream. .."

The House of Blue Leaves, by John Guare.

Merci Beaucoup. Thanks.