Rubess – CV 2102 1 BAŅUTA RUBESS I Am a Director and Writer

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Rubess – CV 2102

BAŅUTA RUBESS 36 Mayfield Avenue Toronto Ontario M6S 1K3 +416 755 4005 [email protected] www.banuta.com

I am a director and writer with over 40 productions. I’ve written plays, libretti, radio plays, screenplays, newspaper columns, and essays. I’m one of the first dozen women to receive a Rhodes scholarship. Currently, I’m teaching at the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Toronto.

EDUCATION D.Phil. in Modern History, St. Antony's College, University of Oxford, England, 1982. B.A. (Hons.), First Class, History and Drama, Queen's University, Kingston, 1977.

ACADEMIC AWARDS Ontario Rhodes Scholar Queen’s University Anniversary Scholarship, Susan Near Drama Prize, History Prize.

WRITING - ESSAYS , ARTICLES , POETRY AND TRANSLATIONS GOOD COMPANIONS™: THE FRIENDS YOU CAN BUY, a novel for teens, published in Latvian translation as Labie draugi, Zvaigzne, Riga, December 2011. “Mixed Company Redefines Political Theatre,“ (1984), included in ed. Julie Salverson, Popular Political Theatre and Performance, Critical Perspectives on Canadian Theater in English¨, vol. 17, Playwrights Canada Press, Toronto, 2010, pp. 14-23. “Lost”, introductory essay for a solo show of work by Tasmanian artist Brigita Ozolins at the Latvian National Library, 2010. “So Weird and So Awesome: Rachel Maddow, Rhodes Scholar ‘95”, profile for www.rhodesproject.com, 2009. “The Rhodes Less Travelled,” essay for www.rhodesproject.com, 2009. “Mīla-vīla” (Fooled by Love), an analysis of two playwrights, published in Robežas (Borders), in Latvian and English, editor Vita Matīss, Neputns, Riga, 2006. “Riga for Poets”, a radio poem, published in the Canadian literary journal Descant, 2004, translated for Karogs, Riga, 2005. Commissioned by CBC Radio, 1992. Review of “Shakespeare in the Undiscovered Bourn”, Literary Review of Canada, September 2004. A bi-weekly opinion column on cultural and political themes, and occasional feature articles, for the national newspaper Diena, Latvia, 1999-2006.

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“Exile”, an introduction to the collected works of writer Dzintars Sodums, Riga, 2004.

“Kicking with Poetry,” monograph on the politics of two female playwrights, eds. Marcel Cornis-Pope, John Neubauer, History of the Literary Cultures of East- Central Europe. Junctures and disjunctures in the 19th and 20th centuries, Volume I, John Benjamins Publishing Company, Virginia Commonwealth University / University of Amsterdam, 2004. A profile of photographer Vid Ingelevics for the art magazine Studija, Riga, 2002. Articles on Latvian writers for literary quarterly Latvian Literature, Riga, 2002-2003. Translations of Latvian poetry and prose, published in anthologies as well as in Agni Review, Boston. (list on request). Articles in Theatrum, Fireweed, Canadian Theatre Review.

WRITING - DRAMA MRS. BENJAMINS. TIPS FOR MODERN LIVING. In Latvian. A solo performance in three rooms of a hotel. Riga, 2009-present. Tour to USA, 2011. ESCAPE FROM TROY. In Latvian. A combination of The Trojan Women with the oral history of refugees. Produced on a beach for the European festival SEAS by the New Theatre Institute, 2004. DVD with subtitles, broadcast on Latvian National Television. FRUITS OF THE EARTH, a piece for choir using texts on the themes of cooking and childbirth, 2003. Avilable on CD. OH PILOT, a chamber opera, 2000. Available on DVD. Radio play, CBC, Toronto, 1996. HEAD IN A BAG, a political comedy. Excerpt published in TAKING THE STAGE: Selections from Plays by Canadian Women. Playwrights Canada Press, Toronto,1994. Published by Exile Editions, Toronto, 1996. NO. HERE COMES ULRIKE MEINHOF, and OBLIVION: THE STORY OF ISABELLE EBERHARDT, radio plays written and produced for a series of my own devising, ADVENTURES STORIES FOR (BIG) GIRLS, CBC Radio Canada, 1990- 1992. Published in ed. Ann Jansen, ADVENTURES FOR (BIG) GIRLS, Blizzard Publishing, Winnipeg, 1993. BOOM, BABY, BOOM! a jazz play. Du Maurier World Stage Festival, Toronto, 1988. Published by Canadian Theatre Review, 1989, and in THE CTR ANTHOLOGY, University of Toronto Press, Toronto, 1993, as well as Exile Editions, 1996. Excerpted in Inter-Plays: Works and Words of Writers and Critics, Breakwater, St. John’s, Canada, 1994. Nominated for a Dora Award, Outstanding Production. HORROR HIGH, a multi-media teen drama, 1989. Excerpted in ed. Lynda Hill, Acting Out: Scenes and Monologues from Theatre Direct Productions for Youth, Playwrights Canada Press, Toronto, 2006. Nominated for a Dora Award, Outstanding Production in Children's Theatre. THIN ICE, a teen drama, co-written with Beverley Cooper. 1987. Published in

2 Rubess – CV 2102 anthology Wanna Play? Three Plays for High School, Playwrights Canada, 1997. Excerpted in ed. Lynda Hill, Acting Out: Scenes and Monologues from Theatre Direct Productions for Youth, Playwrights Canada Press, 2006; and ed. Brian Kennedy, Two for the Show: Scenes for Student Actors, Playwrights Canada Press, Toronto,1999. Winner of the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Theatre for Young Audiences and the Chalmers Children's Play Award, 1987. POPE JOAN, a comedy, 1984. Published by Borealis Press, Ottawa, 1993. Nominated for the Chalmers Canadian Play Award. SMOKE DAMAGE: A STORY OF THE WITCH HUNTS. Published by Playwrights' Union of Canada, Toronto, 1985, and Exile Editions, Toronto, 1995. THIS IS FOR YOU, ANNA, a spectacle of revenge. Created collectively with Ann- Marie MacDonald, Maureen White and Suzanne Odette Khuri in 1983. Published by Canadian Theatre Review, Toronto, 1985, and in THE CTR ANTHOLOGY, University of Toronto Press, Toronto, 1993. Nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Innovation in Theatre. Playwright-in-residence for Nightwood Theatre, the Great Canadian Theatre Centre, Theatre Direct and others.

WRITING - FILM AND TELEVSION BIG FAT LIES. A short animated film for children, Jetmedia, Riga. TO HELL WITH WAGNER, a feature-length screenplay developed for STUDIO F.O.R.M.A., Riga. 2001. Story editor, GOOD HANDS, a feature-length film produced by STUDIO F.O.R.M.A., Riga, director Peter Simm, 2001. Winner Best Screenplay Latvian National Cinema Awards Lielais Kristaps. Researcher, BALTIC FIRE, a sixty minute documentary, broadcast on TV Ontario in the series FROM THE HEART, 1993. Writer, ROMANCE IS GOOD TODAY, a ninety minute drama for television, producer Calico Pix, 1993. Writer, SAMSARA, half-hour drama, with C.ynthia Roberts, produced by Horsy Productions, 1991.

DIRECTING - THEATRE THE RULES by Charles Mee, UC Drama, Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, Toronto, 2012. THE POSSIBILITES by Howard Barker, UC Drama, Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, Toronto, 2011. WAITING FOR GODOT by Samuel Beckett, produced by KIT Theatre and Meduza Productions, Riga, 2010-2011. MRS. BENJAMINS. TIPS FOR MODERN LIVING. A site-specific solo performance in three rooms of a hotel. Devised with the actor, Riga, 2008- present. Tour to USA, 2011.

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THE GYPSY WIFE, a cabaret with dance based on a Leonard Cohen song, devised with singer Patricia O’Callaghan and composer John Gzowski, 2008. OH PILOT, a chamber opera, composer Nic Gotham, my libretto, World Stage Festival, Toronto, 2005; Latvian National Opera Studio, Riga, 2007. Pasvalys music festival, Kaunas 2009. Available on DVD. THE SNOW QUEEN, children’s drama with string quartet, composer Patrick Cardy, New Riga Theatre. Running in repertory. Riga, 2008- JOSEPH AND HIS AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, a musical, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber/writerTim Rice, Daile Theatre, Riga, 2008-2009. HOTEL KRISTINA, a rock opera, composer JānisLūsēns/writer Māra Zālīte, National Theatre, Riga, 2005-2006. KRAUKŠĶĪTIS (CRUNCHY), a children’s musical, composer Niks Matvejevs/writer Marats Samauskis, VEF Palace of Culture, Riga, 2005-2007. NIGREDO HOTEL, chamber opera, composer Nic Gotham/writer Ann-Marie MacDonald. Tapestry New Opera Works, with the Tarragon Theatre, Toronto, 1992. Tour to Great Britain, 1993. Cross-Canada tour, 1995. Nominated for eight Dora Mavor Moore Awards. Second production on the 25th anniversary of Tapestry, Distillery, Toronto, 2005. THE SILVER VEIL, by Aspazija, New Riga Theatre, Riga, 2005. OPERA TO GO I and II, fifteen minute original operas, Tapestry New Opera Works, Toronto, 2002 and 2004. ESCAPE FROM TROY, a site-specific music theatre work. My text. Produced on a beach for the European festival SEAS by the New Theatre Institute, 2004. Broadcast on Latvian television. Available on DVD with subtitles. POSSIBLE WORLDS, by John Mighton, New Riga Theatre, Riga, 2004. FRUITS OF THE EARTH, new music theatre performed by the Latvian Radio Choir and the Riga Saxophone Quartet, at the Latvian National Opera New Studio, Riga, 2003. My text. Available on CD. AN IDEAL HUSBAND by Oscar Wilde, Liepaja Theatre, 2002-2004. Best Director Award, 2003. TOP GIRLS, by Caryl Churchill, New Riga Theatre, Riga, 2000-2003. THE BIRDS’ OPERA, a children’s opera based on Dr. Dolittle, composer JānisLūsēns/writer Māra Zālīte the Latvian National Opera, Riga, 2001- 2007; returned to repertory December 2009. Available on DVD with subtitles. Nominated for Best Production Childrens Theatre. ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE, by C.W. Gluck, the Latvian National Opera, Riga, 2000. RONDO, an adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler’s play La Ronde, a site-specific production moving five separate audiences through the theatre, New Riga Theatre, Riga, 1999-2002. From 1987-1997, over a dozen productions directed in theatres across Canada; several national and international tours; radio drama. Significant productions from th 1990s and 1980s:

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WEDDING DAY AT THE CROMAGNONS by Wajdi Mouawad, Great Canadian Theatre Company, Ottawa and Theatre Passe Muraille, Toronto, 1996. THE STILLBORN LOVER by Timothy Findley, Theatre Passe Muraille, 1995. Nominated for six Dora awards, including Outstanding Production and Outstanding Direction. THE AVENGING WOMAN, by Aspazija, co-directed with Neil Bartlett, at the Kabata theatre in Riga, 1991; tour to Berkeley Stage, Toronto. Winner of the Critic's Award, Latvia. Director/dramaturge, GOODNIGHT, DESDEMONA by Ann-Marie MacDonald, Nightwood Theatre, Toronto, 1988. Tour 1990 of the Great Canadian Theatre Company, Ottawa; Vancouver East Cultural Centre, Vancouver; Northern Light Theatre, Edmonton; Canadian Stage Company, Toronto. 1992-1996 Associate Artist, Theatre Passe Muraille, Toronto Duties included: directing; planning the season; scriptdevelopment; fundraising; marketing decisions; liaison with the Board. Director/dramaturge of workshops for: Soulpepper, The Music Gallery, Nightwood Theatre, Crow's Theatre, Theatre Columbus, Theatre Direct, Theatre Passe Muraille, Tapestry Music Theatre, Toronto; Great Canadian Theatre Company, Ottawa; Playwrights' Workshop, Montreal. Co-founder (with Neil Bartlett) of THE 1982 THEATRE COMPANY, an international ensemble based in London England. Toured Europe and North America 1982-84.

DIRECTING – SPECTACLES AND EVENTS 2011 Anniversary celebration for LMT mobile telephone, Latvian National Opera. 2001 – 2008, 2010 Seven summer balls for Swedbank Christmas event for Grindex at the Latvian National Opera Anniversary event for Severstallat in a sports stadium 2001 Inauguration of the Riga Graduate School of Law 2000-2001 winter balls for Latvijas Krajbanka 2000 Air Baltic Anniversary Cabaret

TEACHER - SEMINARS, LECTURES, WORKSHOPS Academic 2012-2013 Sessional Lecturer, Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Toronto. Teaching Performance III, Movement for the Actor, Performance and Reality: Theatre of the 1990s and the 2000s, and UCOne, Engaging Toronto: Performing the City.

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2012 – Spring Term: Visiting Director and Sessional Lecturer UC Drama, University of Toronto, Canada. Teaching Movement for the Actor and Performance and Reality: Theatre of the 1990s and the 2000s, as well as directing The Rules by Charles Mee 2011 – Spring Term: Visiting Lecturer UC Drama, University of Toronto, Canada Teaching Acting Skills for the Contemporary Stage and directing Howard Barker’s The Possibilities 2007 Guest Lecturer on Aspazija, a feminist playwright, undergraduate and graduate level, University of Washington, Seattle, USA 2006 and 2000 Teaching Experimental Playwriting at the Latvian Academy of Culture, Riga. 1987-89 Teaching Introductory Drama at Glendon College, York University, Toronto, Canada. 1982-97 Seminars, lectures and workshops at the universities of Toronto, York, Winnipeg, Simon Fraser, Queen’s, Canada; University of Dusseldorf, Germany; University of Alaska, USA. Topics: Playwriting; Directing; Improvisation; Collective Creation; Theatre History. Private sector 1994-present Communications coach in the private, government, and NGO sector. Teaching presentation, rhetoric, negotiation, media and networking skills across Canada, the USA, Latvia. Detailed information provided on request.

CONFERENCES (recent) “Devising Truth: the Role of Theatre in Post-Soviet Latvia,” After the Wall. Graduate Centre for the Study of Drama, University of Toronto, November 19-21, 2009. Discussion leader, Arkady Ostrovsky speaking on Tom Stoppard’s “The Coast Of Utopia”, Berlin in Riga, June 3, 2006. “One Red Chair”, lecture on set design, Theatre by Design: Scenography in Canada. Graduate Centre for the Study of Drama, University of Toronto, January 24-25, 2003.

BOARDS AND ADVISORY GROUPS Riga City Arts Council, 2008-2010. Latvian Cultural Capital Foundation Theatre Committee, 2007-2009. Toronto Arts Council Board of Directors 1989-93; Theatre Committee 1988-93. Nightwood Theatre Board of Directors 1986-88.

OTHER Online courses in Writing YA Novels with Liz van Doren, mediabistro.com.

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Workshops with Richard Armstrong (Voice), Robert McKee (Screenwriting), Joseph Chaikin (Beckett), Wolfgang Kolneder (Cabaret), Yoshi Oida (Physical Theatre), Victoria Santa Cruz (Rhythm), Oleg Tabakov (Chekhov). I am a member of the Canadian Actors Equity Association and the Society of Children's Book Writers International (SCBWI). I lived in Toronto, Canada from 1983 to 1998. I lived in Riga, Latvia, from 1998 to 2011. Currently, I reside again in Toronto. I am married and have two children. I have a Canadian and Latvian/EU passport. Languages: English/German/French/Latvian/basic Russian.