Paul Thompson (playwright)

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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]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 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/%5B%5D
  4. ↑ "Thompson to be awarded GG honour". Stratford Beacon-Herald , March 5, 2011.


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