Greg MacArthur appointed as University of Alberta’s new Lee Playwright in Residence
Edmonton, AB – His plays have been produced across Canada, as well as in South Africa, Germany, and the United Kingdom, and now playwright and performer Greg MacArthur has arrived at the University of Alberta this January 2011, as the Department of Drama’s next Lee Playwright in Residence.
Given that MacArthur believes the purpose of theatre is, “to excite, to challenge, to provoke, to affect change, to be sexy, to be dangerous,” and he has described his own work as “contradictory, unclassifiable, [and] vulnerable,” his residency at the University of Alberta promises to be fresh, challenging, and invigorating.
As part of his University of Alberta residency, MacArthur has accepted a new play commission, with the work projected to premiere in the 2012/2013 U of A Studio Theatre season. Greg MacArthur is the third Lee Playwright in Residence, following Kevin Kerr (2007-2010) and Don Hannah (2005-2007). For more information about the Lee Playwright in Residency program, please see http://www.drama.ualberta.ca/About_UofA_Drama/Lee_Playwright_In_Residence.aspx .
More about Greg MacArthur
MacArthur is known for plays that explore themes of identity and escape, focusing on characters that exist on the fringes of society. Some of his more notable playwriting credits include: Tyland, produced in February 2010 as part of the Alberta Theatre Project’s Enbridge playRites Festival (Calgary); Recovery, commissioned and produced in 2006 by The National Arts Centre (Ottawa) and produced by Rumble Theatre (Vancouver) the same year, garnering six Jessie Richardson Award nominations including Outstanding Production; Get Away, produced at the 2005 Alberta Theatre Projects’ Enbridge playRites Festival (Calgary) earning three Betty Mitchell Award nominations including Outstanding New Play; as well as Snowman and girls! girls! girls!, two plays published together in 2005 in Exposure by Coach House Books.
MacArthur has been Artist in Residence at Playwrights’ Workshop Montreal (2006-2010), Writer in Residence at The Writer’s Network / Centre for the Book in Cape Town, South Africa (2003), and Playwright in Residence at Toronto’s Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (1997 -1998).
Meet MacArthur
Former Lee Playwright in Residence Kevin Kerr will interview his successor, Greg MacArthur, January 24th at 7 pm in the Timms Centre lobby at the University of Alberta (112 Street – 87 Avenue). All are welcome to this free public event. Light refreshments will be served.
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UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
DEPARTMENT OF DRAMA
MEDIA RELEASE
January 11, 2011
Media Contact: Salena Kitteringham
University of Alberta, Department of Drama
Phone: 780.492.8710 email: salena@ualberta.ca
