WINNIPEG — Renowned Canadian theatrical director, producer, and dramaturge Andrey Tarasiuk will join the faculty of The University of Winnipeg for six weeks this academic term to direct senior acting students in the Department of Theatre and Film’s production of Don Hannah’s While We’re Young. Mr. Tarasiuk was associated with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival for many years where he directed and held the posts of Associate Artistic Director and Head of New Play Development for eight seasons. He is also the Founding Producer of Toronto’s Dream in High Park, Canada’s original outdoor summer Shakespeare theatre which is now the longest-running and most popular outdoor summer theatre event in that city. For 10 years, Mr. Tarasiuk was Artistic Producer of Theatre Direct Canada, one of the nation’s foremost theatres presenting innovative and original works for young audiences; during his tenure the theatre expanded exponentially, initiated extensive touring, and received numerous national and international awards. He has also directed many radio dramas for CBC-Radio Canada and locally been a director/dramaturge at MTC, PTE and the Manitoba Association of Playwrights.
Extensive experience
Mr. Tarasiuk has spent 25 years as a dramaturge and contributing dramaturge working with many playwrights familiar to Winnipeg audiences including Anne Chislett, Timothy Findley, Tomson Highway, and Maureen Hunter. He has worked as a director across Canada and a lecturer, and instructor for actors, playwrights, and directors at the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre Training (Stratford), the National Theatre School of Canada (Montreal), the National Arts Centre (Ottawa), as well as the University of Western Ontario, Humber College, The Centre for Indigenous Theatre, and George Brown College.
The recipient of many artistic awards, Mr. Tarasiuk has shared his artistic vision and knowledge on numerous boards of directors and cultural foundations and councils throughout Canada, and has produced or directed a number of important special events including the 50th Stratford Season Salute and three Canadian Heritage Festivals, including one here in Winnipeg.
Mr. Tarasiuk was born and raised in Winnipeg and is a proud founding member of the Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, well-known to Winnipeggers. He attended the University of Manitoba prior to receiving his diploma from Montreal’s National Theatre School.
“I’m delighted to be returning to my home town to share with UWinnipeg drama students what I’ve learned from working in theatres across Canada. What is particularly exciting for me is to know that these young people are the same age I was, and living in Winnipeg, when I made my decision to work in theatre and the arts,” says Mr. Tarasiuk.
While We’re Young, specifically written for actors of University age by Don Hannah, one of Canada’s leading playwrights, is a rich and complex historical epic and a family saga covering the lives of young Canadians. It’s a war story, a drama, a comedy, and a tapestry of love stories spanning the decades from the 1870’s to the 21st century. Heather Russell, one of the students who will be working with Mr.Tarasiuk, is looking forward to the experience. “It’s great to be in a theatre program that allows students to work with a professional director from another part of the country before we go out into the real world. I’m very excited to work with a Stratford director, especially since Stratford is such an important influence in Canadian theatre!
Rehearsals for While We’re Young begin in mid-February with performances March 29-April 2 at the Gas Station Arts Centre. There is no charge for admission; reservations will be available beginning March 1 at 786-9152 or http://theatre.uwinnipeg.ca.
-30-
For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Patty Hawkins, Department of Theatre and Film
The University of Winnipeg
T: 204.786.9955
p.hawkins@uwinnipeg.ca
OR
Tim Babcock, Department of Theatre and Film
The University of Winnipeg
T: 204.786-9455
t.babcock@uwinnipeg.ca
