sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy ei

[PayPal ButWorkshop History

After the publication of my novel Tatsea in 2003, I returned to an unfinished novel project I had begun earlier, The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven Blatz. Early during this project, parts of the story emerged as possible scenes in a play, which I wrote as exercises during a Prairie Theatre Exchange playwrighting course. As I worked on the novel, I was frequently drawn back to the play scenes and gradually the playscript grew. With the encouragement of Rory Runnells, executive director of Manitoba Association of Playwrights, since August 2006 my creative writing has focused mainly on the play. I believe there is an inherent theatricality in much of my prose fiction, and this story seems to want to be told for the stage. The process of visualizing the story as a play is stretching me artistically, forcing me to explore characters in greater depth than I have before. I also see more plays in this story material.

Since I completed a full draft in May 2007 I have done five substantial rewrites: the first, after feedback from Rory, was accepted for the MAP/PTE Stage 2 program which allowed me to receive dramaturgical support from MAP Playwright-in-Residence Bruce McManus; the second after initial feedback from Bruce, the third after an undirected reading workshop led by Bruce.

March 2008

DRAMATURGE—Bruce McManus
CAST:

Blatz—Gordon Tanner
Obrum—Tom Keenan
Susch—Kristin Miller
Teen—Patricia Hunter

Also present: Rory Runnels (Manitoba Association of Playwrights )and Rea Kavanagh (Theatre Projects Manitoba)
MAP and Theatre Projects Manitoba presented a directed staged reading of the play at the Carol Shields Festival of New Works

May 2008.

DIRECTOR/DRAMATURGE—Ulla Ryum
CAST:

Blatz—Arne MacPherson
Obrum—Tom Keenan
Susch—Jacqueline Loewen
Teen—Monique Marcker

Just prior to the Carol Shields workshop, Laurie Lam of Manitoba Theatre Centre arranged for the same cast to do a cold reading for MTC artistic director Steven Shipper.

After significant rewriting under the guidance of Bruce McManus who was serving as writer-in-residence at Winnipeg Public Library, Theatre Projects Manitoba and MAP sponsored a further workshop.

July, 2009.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR—Ardith Boxal
DRAMATURGE—Kim McCaw

CAST:

Blatz—Kevin Klassen
Obrum—Tom Keenan
Susch—Jacqueline Loewen
Teen—Krista Jackson

Using the experience of this workshop and the thorough analysis provided by Kim, I made significant revisions to the play, completing the rewrite in January 2010. Kim entered the play in the University of Alberta’s Working Title new play festival in Edmonton. This workshop was the first to incorporate the piano and the brummtopp as well as original music composed by Darrin Wiebe.

May 2010

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR—Ardith Boxal
DIRECTOR/DRAMATURGE—Kim McCaw
CAST: Blatz—Eric Nyland
Obrum—Cole Humeny
Susch—Elena Porter
Teen—Beth Graham

Theatre Projects Manitoba has scheduled The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven Blatz as part of its 2010-2011 season. Opening night is April 7, 2011.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR—Ardith Boxal
DIRECTOR—Kim McCaw
SET DESIGNER—Brian Perchaluk
LIGHTING DESIGNER & PRODUCTION MANAGER—Hugh Conacher
STAGE MANAGER—Sheena Sanderson
PRODUCER—Rea Kavanagh
CAST:

Blatz—Eric Nyland
Obrum—Tom Keenan
Susch—Tracy Penner
Teen—Daria Puttaert

To contact playwright