Lib Spry
Lib Spry | |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1986-pres. |
| Known for | Co-founder of Company of Sirens |
| Parents |
|
Lib Spry is a Canadian director, playwright, and academic. She is a co-founder of Company of Sirens and Straight Stitching Productions and served as the artistic director of Passionate Balance.
Career[edit]
In 1986, Spry co-founded the feminist theatre company, Company of Sirens, with Lina Chartrand, Aida Jordão, Catherine Glen, Shawna Dempsey, and Cynthia Grant.[1] With Company of Sirens, Spry created the play, The Working People's Picture Show, which was first staged in 1987.[2][3] With Shirley Barrie, Spry co-founded Straight Stitching Productions in 1989.[4] Spry served as the artistic director of the Ottawa-based theatre company, Passionate Balance. In 1992, she co-developed, with Rob Thompson, the play Collateral Damages. The play used techniques of the Theatre of the Oppressed.[5]
In 2012, Spry directed Where the Blood Mixes by Kevin Loring.[6][7] In 2013, Spry was set to direct the mini-musical, Marg Szkaluba (Pissy's Wife), written by Ron Chambers, at the Rialto Theatre in Montreal; however, the show was indefinitely postponed when the show's star, Carolyn Fe, became ill.[8]
Spry has taught at the University of Ottawa, Queen's University, and Concordia University. She currently teaches at McGill University.[9]
Personal life[edit]
Spry has an MFA in creative writing from Goddard College[9] and a PhD in cultural studies from Queen's University. Her parents are Graham and Irene Spry and she has two brothers named Robin and Richard.[10]
Plays[edit]
- Bungsu and the Big Snake
- Collateral Damages (co-written with Rob Thompson)
- Peace and Plenty (co-written with Peggy Sample)
- Playing Robin Hood
- A Princess Never Should
- Trance for Matron[11]
- The Working People's Picture Show (co-created with Lina Chartrand, Aida Jordão, Catherine Glen, Shawna Dempsey, and Cynthia Grant)
References[edit]
- ^ McGuigan, Lynn (2018-01-19). "Company of Sirens". Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia. Athabasca University. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
- ^ Bell, Laurie (1987). "Working People's Popular Appeal" (PDF). Broadside: A Feminist Review. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
- ^ Sweet, Lois (1987-02-27). "Show portrays women's issues in an entertaining manner: [FIN Edition]". Toronto Star. p. B4. ISSN 0319-0781.
- ^ Nothof, Anne (2019-01-31). "Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia - Barrie, Shirley". www.canadiantheatre.com. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
- ^ Hawkins, Mary (1992). "Collateral Damages: Within and Without". Performing Arts & Entertainment in Canada. 27 (4): 11.
- ^ Donnelly, Pat (2012-09-13). "Where the Blood Mixes Traces the Aftermath of First Nations Residential Schools". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
- ^ Murdoch, Chandra (2012-09-17). "Review: Where the Blood Mixes". Cult MTL. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
- ^ Donnelly, Pat (2013-05-15). "Blues Singer Carolyn Fe Cancels Pissy's Wife Due to Allergies". montrealgazette. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
- ^ a b Nothof, Anne (2020-06-12). "Spry, Lib". Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
- ^ "Irene Mary SPRY Obituary (1998) The Globe and Mail". Legacy.com. 1998-12-18. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
- ^ Chan, Crystal (2013-05-30). "Stretch your festival stomach at the Montreal Fringe!". Nightlife. Retrieved 2022-01-05.