LMDA Presents 2018 Lessing Award For Career Achievement In Dramaturgy To Bob White

LMDA has announced that Bob White received the G.E. Lessing Award for Career Achievement at the 2018 LMDA Annual Conference in Toronto on June 22nd.

An LMDA Member with an active engagement with the organization, including as a past member of LMDA's Board of Directors, Bob is a leader in our field and a great mentor to other dramaturgs. Says LMDA Canada President, Laurel Green, who with Joanna Falck, nominated Bob for this honour, "I believe that he is most deserving of LMDA's recognition for the hundreds of new plays he has helped bring to the stage, as dramaturg and director, as well as his commitment to nurturing playwrights (emerging writers, mid-career practitioners and senior artists) across Canada."

Bob White has been a major force in shaping the landscape of contemporary Canadian theatre, with an extensive, 40+ year career as a dramaturg and director for new works across the country. Bob served as the Artistic Director of Playwrights Workshop Montreal (1975-1978) before moving to Toronto as the Artistic Director of Factory Theatre (1978-1987) where more than 25 new Canadian plays premiered during his tenure, many under his direction. Bob then moved to Calgary to work for Alberta Theatre Projects, taking on the role of Artistic Associate overseeing script selection and development, dramaturgy and direction, for the playRites Festival of New Canadian Plays (1987-1999), widely regarded as one of Canada's premier new play showcases. He became ATP's Artistic Director (1999-2009) and grew the company as a national leader in new play development and home for Canadian playwrights. Bob was also the co-director for the Banff Playwrights Colony (1997-2009), a unique retreat for playwrights to develop scripts for ATP's stage and stages across Canada.

"Bob has helped shape the dramaturgical profession in Canada over more than 40 years through his leadership, his mentorship, and his commitment to new Canadian work. LMDA is thrilled to award Bob the organization's highest honour for his impressive and important achievements," says LMDA Board Chair Brian Quirt.

In January of 2013, Bob was appointed Director of New Plays at the Stratford Festival after four seasons as a consulting director. As well as overseeing play development activities at the Festival, he has served as production dramaturg on most new plays produced at Stratford since 2009, including, most recently "Bronte: The World Without" (2018), "Paradise Lost" (2018) and "The Breathing Hole" (2017).

Other recognition includes membership in the Order of Canada recognizing his expert mentorship and promotion of Canadian theatre; Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD), University of Calgary; and The Diamond Jubilee Medal. Bob lives in Stratford, Ontario with his partner Kevin McGugan.

Ken Cerniglia, LMDA President, comments, "In addition to his innumerable contributions to Canadian theatre, Bob White has been an inspiration to and resource for an international network of dramaturgs and literary managers. LMDA could not be prouder to honor his work in the field with our most prestigious award."

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