Alice Nelson

 Alice Nelson, Assistant Professor

Alice Nelson holds an MFA in Ensemble Based Physical Theatre from the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre, a BEd from the University of Calgary and a BFA in Dramatic Arts from University of Lethbridge. In 2018, she moved across the country to join the School of Dramatic Arts as an Assistant Professor in Drama in Education and Community. She teaches courses in TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences), Theatre for Social Action, Applied Theatre and Improvisation.

As a theatre educator, Prof. Nelson has taught at Mount Royal University, Red Deer University, Ambrose University and Rosebud School of the Arts. As well, she has taught numerous workshops for community theatres, High School arts programs, and theatre festivals.

Prof. Nelson has worked as an actor-creator, playwright, director, producer, puppeteer, improvisor, mask maker and clown. She has written and toured solo shows regarding social and political issues and co-created feminist theatre productions. Aside from being a road warrior on the Fringe Circuit, her shows have been produced by the Calgary Animated Objects Society, New West Theatre, Downstage Theatre, Magnetic North Theatre Festival, Handsome Alice Theatre, and Sarasvàti Productions. As an improvisor, she was a company member with Loose Moose Theatre, frequently directing for their Kid’s Season. As a mask maker, she has supplied masks (Commedia and Character) internationally for theatre troupes, High Schools and Universities.

As an applied theatre practitioner, Prof. Nelson has worked extensively as an artist-in-residence, creating original plays with children and youth in educational and community settings. Highlights include creating physical theatre plays with Trickster Theatre and bringing children’s storybooks to life with Quest Theatre. She worked for over a decade simulating real life medical situations with the Medical Skills Centre, University of Calgary. In 2017, she was part of national museum tour with Journey of a Lifetime, a performance (both in French and English) representing the stories of Canada’s early immigrants. Close to her heart has been attending expeditions as a volunteer clown and workshop leader with the international humanitarian organization, Clowns Without Borders.

Prof. Nelson’s current research focuses on two areas: examining how the theatrical styles of clown and bouffon can be used as conduits to address taboo issues in society and addressing issues of social justice in TYA through physical theatre practices.

During the pandemic, Prof. Nelson performed in a series of interactive digital theatre adult puppet slams, hosted by clowns. She explored the ways we can still break the fourth wall and connect with the audience in a digital theatre realm. https://theconversation.com/a-puppet-slam-hosted-by-clowns-is-the-most-joyful-meeting-on-zoom-142228

Recently, Prof. Nelson joined a Museum Theatre acting troupe in Calgary. The troupe addressed historical racism through live street theatre https://globalnews.ca/news/9751031/calgary-heritage-park-chinese-immigrant-presentation/

Contact Information:
Room 208 Jackman Dramatic Art Centre
alice.nelson@uwindsor.ca
519-253-3000 x2803

Website: http://alicenelson.ca/ "

Meet Alice (and Frank): 

Actor. Journey of a Lifetime. Co-production Heritage Park/ Quest Theatre, Canada National Tour

Actor/ Improvisor. Snow White. Loose Moose Theatre. Calgary, Alberta.

Playwright. Benorix Hur: A Race for Freedom. Commissioned and performed by Raha International School, Abu Dhabi.

Director/Adapter. School for Wives/School for Husbands. Mainstage Production. Red Deer University. Red Deer, Alberta.

Director/Adapter. Sleeping Beauty. Loose Moose Theatre. Calgary, Alberta.

Playwright. King Arthur and His Magnificent Knights. Commissioned and performed by Maplewood School. MBZ City, UAE.

Director. Three Little Pigs. New West Theatre. Lethbridge, Alberta.

Actor-Creator. Animal Farm Treatment/ La ferme des animaux revisitée. Alberta High School Tour.

Actor-Creator. Ms.Sugarcoat. Animated Object Festival, Sage Theatre’s Ignite Festival (Calgary, Alberta) and New West Theatre (Lethbridge, Alberta) and Canadian Fringe Circuit.

Actor/ Puppeteer. Pigs in a Canoe/ Petits cochons dans in canot. WP Puppet Theatre. School Tour, Animated Object Festival, Calgary, Alberta. Puppet Up! Festival. Almonte, Ontario.

Playwright. Keep Sweet (co-created with Stephen Delano). Staged Reading. Calgary, Alberta.

Director. Boy’s Own Jedi Handbook. Empress Theatre. Fort Macleod, Alberta.

Director. Mockingbird Close. Lunchbox Theatre. Calgary, Alberta.

Actor/Puppeteer. How I Became Invisible. CLUNK Puppet Lab, Puppets Up! Festival. Almonte, Ontario.

Actor-Creator. Elephant. Festival of Animated Objects, Loose Moose Theatre, Lyric Theatre, School Tour, Canadian Fringe Circuit.

Playwright. The Worry Wart. Empress Theatre, Edmonton Fringe. Alberta.

Actor-Creator. RAUNCH: The Rise of Female Chauvinist Pigs (co-created with Jacqueline Russell). Downstage Theatre, Sarasvàti Productions, Canadian Fringe Circuit. Magnetic North Theatre Festival.

Actor-Creator. Local Celebrity. No Refund Theatre (Penn State), Canadian Fringe Circuit.
 

2019- Faculty Member of the Year, School of Dramatic Arts, University of Windsor

2016- Alberta Foundation for the Arts: Theatre Project Grant, Animal Farm Treatment/ La ferme des animaux revisiteé.

2014- Winner of the Audience Choice Poll at Sage Theatre’s Ignite! Festival, Ms.Sugarcoat

2014- Alberta Foundation for the Arts: Theatre Project Grant, Ms. Sugarcoat

2012- Alberta Foundation for the Arts: Theatre Project Grant, KEEP SWEET

2009- Canada Council/ AFA: Creative Development Initiative Grant, RAUNCH: The Rise of Female Chauvinist Pigs

2009- Alberta Lottery Fund: Community Initiative Program Grant, Elephant

2008- Calgary Arts Development: Special Project Grant, Elephant