Colleen Murphy launches new University of Alberta Playwrights Forum

In her capacity as the new Lee Playwright in Residence at the University of Alberta, Colleen Murphy is launching the U of A Playwrights Forum, a collegial meeting of local writers with aspiring student writers to spur the development of new plays

27 November 2014

MEDIA RELEASE


Media Contact: Salena Kitteringham

Fine Arts Communications Lead / Faculty of Arts/UAlberta

Ph: 780-248-5617 Email: salena@ualberta.ca


Colleen Murphy launches new University of Alberta Playwrights Forum


Lee Playwright in Residence keen to connect Edmonton writers with students to encourage the development of new plays


Nov. 27. 2014 - In her capacity as the new Lee Playwright in Residence at the University of Alberta, Colleen Murphy is launching the U of A Playwrights Forum, a collegial meeting of local writers with aspiring student writers to spur the development of new plays.


Murphy invites playwrights, students, teachers, and people from the wider Edmonton community who are interested in writing plays, as well as writers from other mediums who are interested in transitioning to theatre to attend the inaugural U of A Playwrights Forum meeting:

Sunday, December 7, 2014 - 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
1 - 43 Fine Arts Building (FAB is located at 87 Avenue & 112 Street on the U of A's North campus)




"There is no need to bring any writing to the first meeting," says Murphy. "The initial conversation will centre on how the new U of A Playwrights Forum will work. I look forward to a discussion from those attending so that I can custom-make the Forum to best serve the needs and interests of the local writers who wish to be involved."


Colleen Murphy, Lee Playwright in Residence, University of Alberta

Email: Murphy1@ualberta.ca

Website: www.colleenmurphy.ca

BACKGROUND

Colleen Murphy is a playwright, filmmaker and librettist. She won the 2014 Carol Bolt Award for her play Pig Girl and was recently shortlisted for the Siminovitch Prize in Theatre. Her play The December Man (L'homme de décembre) won the 2007 Governor General's Literary Award for Drama, the CAA/Carol Bolt Award and the Enbridge Playwrights Award. Other plays include Armstrong's War and Beating Heart Cadaver (nominated for a 1999 Governor General's Literary Award for Drama). She has also won awards in the CBC Literary Competition for Fire-Engine Red and Pumpkin Eaters.


Murphy is also an award-winning filmmaker. Her distinct films have played in festivals around the world. She's been Guest Playwright at Edmonton's Citadel Theatre since 2010. In 2012, she was Playwright in Residence at Factory Theatre (Toronto). In 2011/12 Murphy was the Canadian Playwright in Residence at Finborough Theatre in London U.K. Previous to her appointment at the University of Alberta as Lee Playwright in Residence, Murphy was Writer in Residence at Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Guelph, McMaster University and the University of Regina.