HomeMy WebLinkAboutSetting The Stage, 1998-06-24, Page 48Marion de Vries: PEI
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PAGE 24. SETTING THE STAGE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1998.
Marion de Vries wants a farm to help artists grow
By Allison Lawlor
A fter growing up on a farm in Prince Edward County,
Blyth feels like home to Marion de Vries, director of
the Blyth Festival's production of Wilbur County
Blues by Andrew Moodie.
"I love this theatre being right in the community," she said.
"I grew up in a community like this."
Marion was first at the Blyth Festival in 1991 when she
assisted in directing the Stone Angel.
Aside from directing, Marion writes plays. Her play, big
face was a finalist for the Chalmers Award a couple of years
ago. Her more recent play Jumping Mouse, co-written with
Columpa C. Bobb was performed at Young People's Theatre
and the National Art Centre. It is currently nominated for a
Dora Award for outstanding production.
"I love doing both writing and directing. They're both
completely different," she said. "When I'm writing I forget
about everything I know as a
director."
Marion didn't start out in
theatre. She went to Waterloo
University to study recreation.
When she discovered she
couldn't stand it she switched to,
geography. Geography fulfilled
her love of the outdoors.
Not in any rush to finish her
degree, she went to Alberta.
She ended up living in Alberta
for eight years. While living
there she got involved in
community theatre and
eventually finished her
geography degree.
"Landscape and the land has
a huge part in my writing now."
Although Marion lives in
Toronto with her partner and
their 15-month-old son, Luke,
she would like to have a farm
someday.
"By the time I'm 50, I want to
have a farm as well, back in the
county where I grew up."
Marion said she would turn the farm into a smaller
version of the Banff Centre for the Arts, where artists could
go.
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