Daniel MacIvor
Encyclopedia
Daniel MacIvor is a Canadian
actor
, playwright
, theatre director and film director. He was born in Sydney
, Nova Scotia
and educated at Dalhousie University
in Halifax, and then at George Brown College
in Toronto
, Ontario
.
MacIvor started the theatre company da da kamera in Toronto - in residence at Buddies in Bad Times
Theatre - for whom he has written, directed, and acted. He is now one of Canada's best known playwrights. His plays include Never Swim Alone, This is a Play, Monster, Marion Bridge, You are Here, Cul-de-sac, and A Beautiful View. Five of MacIvor's plays were published as I Still Love You in 2006, in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of da da kamera, (Never Swim Alone, The Soldier Dreams, You Are Here, In on It, and A Beautiful View), and won MacIvor a coveted Governor General's Award
for Drama.
Recently, MacIvor has written, co-written and directed several independent film
s, which are usually made in his home province of Nova Scotia. They include Past Perfect, Marion Bridge, Whole New Thing
and Wilby Wonderful
. His appearances include The Five Senses.
. These include House, Here Lies Henry, Monster and Cul-de-sac
. These incorporate a minimalist and meta-theatrical style. In House and Here Lies Henry, MacIvor portrays one character who speaks directly to the audience, acknowledging their presence. While the direct address of the audience continues in Monster and Cul-de-sac
, MacIvor portrays several characters throughout the course of the piece and this direct address is occasionally broken up by dialogue between these characters.
The first three of these pieces were staged at Buddies in Bad Times
Theatre in the 2006/2007 season as part of a tribute and retrospective of da da kamera's work.
Plays
In 1998, MacIvor won the award for overall excellence at the New York International Fringe Festival for his play Never Swim Alone.
In 2002, his play In On It earned him a GLAAD award and a Village Voice Obie Award.
In 2008, he was awarded the prestigious Siminovitch Prize in Theatre
, which is a Canadian theatre award that recognizes Canadians for their work in the areas of design, direction and playwriting in Canada.
Film
In 1993, MacIvor was awarded a Genie for his short film The Fairy Who Didn’t Want to be a Fairy Anymore.
In 2004, he won a Chlotrudis award and Genie award for his screenplay adaptation of his play Marion Bridge.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, playwright
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
, theatre director and film director. He was born in Sydney
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Sydney is a Canadian urban community in the province of Nova Scotia. It is situated on the east coast of Cape Breton Island and is administratively part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality....
, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
and educated at Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
in Halifax, and then at George Brown College
George Brown College
George Brown College is a public, fully accredited college of applied arts and technology with three full campuses in downtown Toronto, Ontario...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
.
MacIvor started the theatre company da da kamera in Toronto - in residence at Buddies in Bad Times
Buddies in Bad Times
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is a Canadian professional theatre company.Based in Toronto, Ontario and founded in 1978 by Matt Walsh, Jerry Ciccoritti, and Sky Gilbert, Buddies in Bad Times is dedicated to "the promotion of queer theatrical expression"....
Theatre - for whom he has written, directed, and acted. He is now one of Canada's best known playwrights. His plays include Never Swim Alone, This is a Play, Monster, Marion Bridge, You are Here, Cul-de-sac, and A Beautiful View. Five of MacIvor's plays were published as I Still Love You in 2006, in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of da da kamera, (Never Swim Alone, The Soldier Dreams, You Are Here, In on It, and A Beautiful View), and won MacIvor a coveted Governor General's Award
Governor General's Award
The Governor General's Awards are a collection of awards presented by the Governor General of Canada, marking distinction in a number of academic, artistic and social fields. The first was conceived in 1937 by Lord Tweedsmuir, a prolific author of fiction and non-fiction who created the Governor...
for Drama.
Recently, MacIvor has written, co-written and directed several independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
s, which are usually made in his home province of Nova Scotia. They include Past Perfect, Marion Bridge, Whole New Thing
Whole New Thing
Whole New Thing is a 2005 Canadian dramatic film which was directed by Amnon Buchbinder. The script is co-written by Amnon Buchbinder and Daniel MacIvor. Filmed entirely on location in Mahone Bay and Halifax, Nova Scotia, during winter and over the course of 15 days, the film is an unconventional...
and Wilby Wonderful
Wilby Wonderful
Wilby Wonderful is a 2004 film by Daniel MacIvor. The film is a comedic drama about 24 hours in the life of the small town of Wilby, where the municipal festival is in preparation. It focuses on the changes occurring in the lives of several different inhabitants as development comes to the island...
. His appearances include The Five Senses.
Solo Shows
MacIvor is particularly well known for a series of solo shows created in collaboration with director Daniel BrooksDaniel Brooks
Daniel Brooks is a Canadian theatre director, actor and playwright. He was born in Toronto, Ontario.A highly regarded theatre maker in Toronto's "alternative" theatre scene, Daniel Brooks has a reputation for creating and directing cutting edge productions which combine fiercely intellectual...
. These include House, Here Lies Henry, Monster and Cul-de-sac
Cul-de-sac
A cul-de-sac is a word of French origin referring to a dead end, close, no through road or court meaning dead-end street with only one inlet/outlet...
. These incorporate a minimalist and meta-theatrical style. In House and Here Lies Henry, MacIvor portrays one character who speaks directly to the audience, acknowledging their presence. While the direct address of the audience continues in Monster and Cul-de-sac
Cul-de-sac
A cul-de-sac is a word of French origin referring to a dead end, close, no through road or court meaning dead-end street with only one inlet/outlet...
, MacIvor portrays several characters throughout the course of the piece and this direct address is occasionally broken up by dialogue between these characters.
The first three of these pieces were staged at Buddies in Bad Times
Buddies in Bad Times
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is a Canadian professional theatre company.Based in Toronto, Ontario and founded in 1978 by Matt Walsh, Jerry Ciccoritti, and Sky Gilbert, Buddies in Bad Times is dedicated to "the promotion of queer theatrical expression"....
Theatre in the 2006/2007 season as part of a tribute and retrospective of da da kamera's work.
Awards
In addition to winning the Governor General's Award for Drama in 2006, MacIvor has won other notable awards during his career.Plays
In 1998, MacIvor won the award for overall excellence at the New York International Fringe Festival for his play Never Swim Alone.
In 2002, his play In On It earned him a GLAAD award and a Village Voice Obie Award.
In 2008, he was awarded the prestigious Siminovitch Prize in Theatre
Siminovitch Prize in Theatre
The Siminovitch Prize in Theatre is given to recognize achievement in Canadian theatre; specifically, professional directors, playwrights and designers in three-year cycles...
, which is a Canadian theatre award that recognizes Canadians for their work in the areas of design, direction and playwriting in Canada.
Film
In 1993, MacIvor was awarded a Genie for his short film The Fairy Who Didn’t Want to be a Fairy Anymore.
In 2004, he won a Chlotrudis award and Genie award for his screenplay adaptation of his play Marion Bridge.
List of works
- See Bob Run (1989), da da kamera, directed by Ken McDougall
- Yes I Am and Who Are You? (1989), Buddies in Bad Times, directed by Edward Roy
- Wild Abandon (1990), Theatre Passe Muraille, directed by Vinetta Strombergs
- Somewhere I Have Never Travelled (1990), Tarragon TheatreTarragon TheatreThe Tarragon Theatre is a theatre in Toronto, Canada, and one of the main centers for contemporary playwriting in the country. Located near Casa Loma, the theatre was founded by Bill and Jane Glassco in 1970. Bill was the Artistic Director from 1971 to 1982. In 1982, Urjo Kareda took over as...
, directed by Andy McKim - Never Swim Alone (1991), da da kamera, directed by Ken McDougall
- 2-2 Tango (1991), Buddies in Bad Times, directed by Ken McDougall
- Jump (1992), Theatre Passe Muraille, directed by Daniel Brooks
- This is a Play (1992), da da kamera, directed by Ken MacDougall
- The Lorca Play (1992), da da kamera, co-directed by MacIvor and Daniel Brooks
- In On It (2000), Edinburgh Festival, directed by MacIvor
- Cul-de-Sac (2003), da da Kamera, directed by Daniel Brooks
- A Beautiful View (2006), da da kamera
- How It Works (2007), Tarragon TheatreTarragon TheatreThe Tarragon Theatre is a theatre in Toronto, Canada, and one of the main centers for contemporary playwriting in the country. Located near Casa Loma, the theatre was founded by Bill and Jane Glassco in 1970. Bill was the Artistic Director from 1971 to 1982. In 1982, Urjo Kareda took over as...
- The Best Brothers (2012), Stratford Shakespeare Festival