APN | Winn Bray


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As an actor she performed throughout Ontario as well as in NSW Australia, most notably in the one woman show BELLE OF AMHERST. In Alberta, Ms. Bray has had many works produced including ALBERTA ROSE, a new play dealing with the settling of Alberta which was commissioned and toured by the Mount Royal College Theatre Program in 2002 and supported by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. She conceived, wrote and co-produced the in-school production, J.S. BACH, and the Jack Singer Concert Hall production, JOHANN AND THE KING, for the Calgary International Organ Foundation (CIOF) and Ms. Bray wrote THE BACH CONSPIRACY for the CIOF 2000/2001 season which was staged by Quest Theatre. In November of 2000, EVANGELINE, a musical by Winn Bray and Tom Doyle, was produced by the Mount Royal College Theatre Department as part of the Conservatory's 90th Anniversary celebrations. In May of 2003, EVANGELINE was given a professional reading at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton with the support of Alberta Playwrights Network and Canadian Actors Equity Association. Lyricist work includes songs by Doyle and Bray for Vern Thiessen's shows DAWN QUIXOTE (Quest Theatre - first production, Geordie Theatre, Globe Theatre) and ON THE LINE (Quest Theatre - first production Her newest play (2004) entitled RANCHERS AND RAILS deals with the subject of Alberta Ranchers, past and present, their struggles and successes as well as their historical relationships with CPRail. Recipient of the Excellence In The Arts Award (Hamilton) her work has been supported by the Ontario Arts Council, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Mount Royal College, Alberta Playwrights Network, the Citadel New Play Development Program and Private Contributors. Selected plays In alphabetical order by title: Alberta Rose The Bach Conspiracy Evangeline Johann and the King J. S. Bach in the Schools Nobody's Children Ranchers and Rails Rumplestiltskin Scaramouche To request a copy of any of these plays please contact the playwright directly by via email To inquire about performance rights for any of these plays please contact the playwright directly via email Alberta Rose by Winn Bray Style: Drama/Comedy Number of Acts: One act Length: 55 mins Total actors required: 6 Men: 3 Women: 3 Synopsis: Filled with music, humour and pioneer inspiration, ALBERTA ROSE is a show which tells the stories of Albertan homesteaders and ranchers. Anna Bruce and her family s journey by prairie schooner to Donalda; the first Canadian Chautauqua in Gleichen; stories of homesteaders and ranchers from Nanton to Fort McMurray, who carved out a future in the west. These characters come to life to connect you with your own Western Heritage. Production History: February/March 2002 Calgary Region School Tour Mount Royal College Department of Theatre and Speech Commissioned by Mount Royal College and Alberta Foundation for the Arts Directed by Des Davis July - September 2005 Empress Theatre, Fort Macleod Directed by Jeremy Mason Musical Direction by Katie Harris February 2006 Calgary Region School Tour Mount Royal College Department of Theatre and Speech Directed by Winn Bray Notes: Original music by Phillip Fournier Return to list The Bach Conspiracy by Winn Bray Style: Drama/Comedy Number of Acts: One act Length: 55 mins Total actors required: 3 Men: 2 Women: 1 Synopsis: Andreas is a devoted, young student of Johann Sebastian Bach at the school at Arnstadt. Talented and loyal with the voice of an angel, he has only one secret which he guards from his Mentor as well as the rest of the school. He s a she. With strict rules against girls studying music at Arnstadt, Bach is in danger of having his career toppled by his jealous and mean spirited rival, Werner, should the secret ever be discovered. A play in two parts, THE BACH CONSPIRACY includes selections of Bach s Minuet in G Major, Goldberg Variation 27, Prelude #1 and Cantata #147 Jesu, Joy of Man s Desiring. Andreas/Andrea sings a solo with original lyrics by Winn Bray set to the melody of Siciliano from Sonata in E flat. Production History: January 2001 - March 2001 - Part One: Regional Alberta tour. April 2001 - Part Two: Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, AB Quest Theatre & Calgary International Organ Foundation Notes: Music by Johann Sebastian Bach Lyrics by Winn Bray Directed by Duval Lang Return to list Evangeline by Winn Bray Style: Musical Number of Acts: Two acts Length: 100 mins Total actors required: 17 Men: 11 Women: 6 Synopsis: Evangeline by Bray and Doyle is an emotionally stirring musical which tells the story of exceptional love between the Acadian star crossed lovers, Evangeline and Gabriel. It is story of the extraordinary courage of an entire people; of love against all odds and of the strength of the human spirit. Inspired by the Acadian folk tale this musical is not the re-telling of Longfellow's poem but rather a new telling of the story of survival; of endurance, courage, faith and great love. Beautiful and bittersweet and set to the incredible music of award winning composer Tom Doyle, Evangeline by Bray and Doyle will make your spirits soar. Production History: First production followed by professional reading and dramaturgy at The Citadel Theatre, Edmonton in May 2003, Directed by Susanne Gillies-Smith, Dramaturge Vern Thiessen. Alberta Playwrights' Network sponsored the first reading of the work in progress in 1992 and subsequently provided financial assistance for the May 2003 reading at the Citadel Theatre, Edmonton. Notes: Musical book and lyrics by Winn Bray Original music by Tom Doyle Directed by Brian Deedrick Musical direction by Tom Doyle Orchestrations by Wynne Gogol Choreography by Sherrie Scherger Set and Costume Design by Robert Shannon Lighting Design by Douglas J. Rathbun, Fight work by J. P. Fournier Return to list Johann and the King by Winn Bray Style: Drama/Comedy Number of Acts: One act Length: 55 mins Total actors required: 4 Men: 2 Women: 2 Synopsis: A four hander which expands upon the stories already introduced in the one man show, J. S. Bach. The music of Bach plays an integral role as we are learn of his childhood, his years of study, his wife and children as well as his rivals. Production History: April 1998 Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, AB Calgary International Organ Festival. Directed by Mark Bellamy Notes: Ms. Bray , wrote and co-produced the in-school production, J.S. BACH, and the Jack Singer Concert Hall production, JOHANN AND THE KING, for the Calgary International Organ Foundation (CIOF) Return to list J. S. Bach in the Schools by Winn Bray Style: One-person show Number of Acts: One act Length: 35 mins Total actors required: 1 Men: 1 Women: 0 Synopsis: The story of Johann Sebastian Bach as related by the Capellmeister himself, the play reveals the man as well as the master, with all of his human strengths and failings. The play is told in two parts. The first is J.S. Bach, an intimate one man show designed to include an informal presentation on the workings of the pipe organ.For part two see Johann and the King by Winn Bray. Production History: February 4th - March 18th, 1998 Part One: Calgary Region School Tour - Calgary International Organ Festival. Directed by Mark Bellamy Notes: Ms. Bray conceived, wrote and co-produced the in-school production, J.S. BACH, and the Jack Singer Concert Hall production, JOHANN AND THE KING, for the Calgary International Organ Foundation (CIOF) Return to list Nobody's Children by Winn Bray Style: Drama/Comedy Number of Acts: One act Length: 55 mins Total actors required: 6 Men: 3 Women: 3 Synopsis: Between 1870 and the mid 1920 s more than thirty thousand children migrated from England to Canada in what was probably the most ambitious philanthropic movement of the nineteenth century. Some children were fortunate in their destiny. Others were not. Based on actual accounts, NOBODY S CHILDREN is an absorbing and powerful play about the lives and experiences of three of these children. And although their stories come from the nineteenth century, some things never change. The need to feel safe at home. The need to love and be loved. The need to be somebody's child. Production History: February 2003 Calgary Region School Tour Mount Royal College Department of Theatre and Speech Directed by Winn Bray February 2000 Calgary Region School Tour Mount Royal College Department of Theatre and Speech Directed by James Brewer February 2000 Calgary Region School Tour Mount Royal College Department of Theatre and Speech NOBODY'S CHILDREN - the participation play for 4-6 3w2m Directed by James Brewer Carousel Players, St, Catharines, Ont. 1986, 1984 Original Participation production supported by the Ontario Arts Council Directed by Duncan McGregor Notes: Original music by Dan VanWyck Return to list Ranchers and Rails by Winn Bray Style: Drama/Comedy Number of Acts: One act Length: 55 mins Total actors required: 6 Men: 3 Women: 3 Synopsis: After five generations of struggle and success can Sam keep the family ranch afloat in these most difficult of times? Or is his sister, Veronica, right about giving up and selling it all off? For Sam and Veronica the answers to their future may lay in the heritage of their past. Winn Bray's Ranchers and Rails, explores the life of Albertan Ranchers, past and present; their determination, resilience and stubborn struggle from the first free range cattle ranches to the advent of the CPRail to the new challenges of the 21st century. Production History: February 2005 Calgary School Tour Mount Royal College Department of Theatre and Speech Directed by Carol Curties Notes: Return to list Rumplestiltskin by Winn Bray Style: Musical Number of Acts: One act Length: 55 mins Total actors required: 12 Men: 8 Women: 4 Synopsis: An unconventional re-telling of the Brothers Grimm tale, this Rockin Rumplestiltskin wants a child of his own to mentor in the ways of magic. Young Prince Glen, bolstered by his best friend and Jester, Clyde, struggles with his own sense of inadequacies in an attempt to court the beautiful Emma and prove to his father, the King, that he is worthy of being Royal. And the King who has one love, money, shares The Secret of My Sweet Success in a fun loving song and dance reminiscent of Vaudeville. With the music of Tom Doyle, this Rumplestiltskin is a toe tapper with a surprise twist ending. Production History: MRC Shakespeare in the Park, Calgary, 1993 Directed by Duval Lang Shakespeare in the Park, Calgary, 1997 Directed by Mark Belamy Kanata Theatre, 2002 Directed y Barbara Kobolak Notes: Music by Tom Doyle Return to list Scaramouche by Winn Bray Style: Drama Number of Acts: Two acts Length: 100 mins Total actors required: 13 Men: 10 Women: 3 Synopsis: From the murder of one innocent young seminarist to full blown bloody revolution in the streets of Paris, SCARAMOUCHE is a swashbuckling tale of romance, revenge and political upheaval. Adapted from Raphael Sabatini s 1921 novel, this play resonates with uncanny parallels of the modern political climate. And what of these special men of privilege? They set themselves apart from responsibility, these self-proclaimed. They answer to no one for they believe themselves to be above the laws of God and answering to no man. And if those inalienable rights be challenged how do they answer? By changing the law. People of Rennes, where is your Constitution? It bubbles in the melting pot of power, rancid with their schemes and private agendas. Production History: November, 1990 - Wright Theatre, Calgary AB Directed by Lorne Kennedy Set and Costume Designs by Lara Cassels Lighting Design by Douglas J. Rathbun Fight Direction by J. P. Fournier Notes: Commissioned and Produced by Lynn DuFort, Mount Royal College 1990 Return to list

Winn Bray

Winn Bray - Director / Playwright / Lyricist

Winn Bray has been a professional playwright for many years and maintains a strong commitment to quality work for young audiences and in particular, Theatre in Education. As an actor she performed throughout Ontario as well as in NSW Australia, most notably in the one woman show BELLE OF AMHERST. In Alberta, Ms. Bray has had many works produced including ALBERTA ROSE, a new play dealing with the settling of Alberta which was commissioned and toured by the Mount Royal College Theatre Program in 2002 and supported by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.

She conceived, wrote and co-produced the in-school production, J.S. BACH, and the Jack Singer Concert Hall production, JOHANN AND THE KING, for the Calgary International Organ Foundation (CIOF) and Ms. Bray wrote THE BACH CONSPIRACY for the CIOF 2000/2001 season which was staged by Quest Theatre.

In November of 2000, EVANGELINE, a musical by Winn Bray and Tom Doyle, was produced by the Mount Royal College Theatre Department as part of the Conservatory's 90th Anniversary celebrations. In May of 2003, EVANGELINE was given a professional reading at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton with the support of Alberta Playwrights Network and Canadian Actors Equity Association.

Lyricist work includes songs by Doyle and Bray for Vern Thiessen's shows DAWN QUIXOTE (Quest Theatre - first production, Geordie Theatre, Globe Theatre) and ON THE LINE (Quest Theatre - first production
Her newest play (2004) entitled RANCHERS AND RAILS deals with the subject of Alberta Ranchers, past and present, their struggles and successes as well as their historical relationships with CPRail.

Recipient of the Excellence In The Arts Award (Hamilton) her work has been supported by the Ontario Arts Council, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Mount Royal College, Alberta Playwrights Network, the Citadel New Play Development Program and Private Contributors.

Selected plays
In alphabetical order by title:

Alberta Rose
The Bach Conspiracy
Evangeline
Johann and the King
J. S. Bach in the Schools
Nobody's Children
Ranchers and Rails
Rumplestiltskin
Scaramouche

To request a copy of any of these plays please contact the playwright directly by via email

To inquire about performance rights for any of these plays please contact the playwright directly via email

Alberta Rose
by Winn Bray

Style: Drama/Comedy
Number of Acts: One act
Length: 55 mins
Total actors required: 6
Men: 3
Women: 3

Synopsis:
Filled with music, humour and pioneer inspiration, ALBERTA ROSE is a show which tells the stories of Albertan homesteaders and ranchers. Anna Bruce and her family s journey by prairie schooner to Donalda; the first Canadian Chautauqua in Gleichen; stories of homesteaders and ranchers from Nanton to Fort McMurray, who carved out a future in the west. These characters come to life to connect you with your own Western Heritage.

Production History:
February/March 2002 Calgary Region School Tour
Mount Royal College Department of Theatre and Speech
Commissioned by Mount Royal College and Alberta Foundation for the Arts

Directed by Des Davis

July - September 2005 Empress Theatre, Fort Macleod
Directed by Jeremy Mason
Musical Direction by Katie Harris

February 2006 Calgary Region School Tour

Mount Royal College Department of Theatre and Speech

Directed by Winn Bray

Notes:
Original music by Phillip Fournier

Return to list

The Bach Conspiracy
by Winn Bray

Style: Drama/Comedy
Number of Acts: One act
Length: 55 mins
Total actors required: 3
Men: 2
Women: 1

Synopsis:
Andreas is a devoted, young student of Johann Sebastian Bach at the school at Arnstadt. Talented and loyal with the voice of an angel, he has only one secret which he guards from his Mentor as well as the rest of the school. He s a she. With strict rules against girls studying music at Arnstadt, Bach is in danger of having his career toppled by his jealous and mean spirited rival, Werner, should the secret ever be discovered. A play in two parts, THE BACH CONSPIRACY includes selections of Bach s Minuet in G Major, Goldberg Variation 27, Prelude #1 and Cantata #147 Jesu, Joy of Man s Desiring. Andreas/Andrea sings a solo with original lyrics by Winn Bray set to the melody of Siciliano from Sonata in E flat.

Production History:
January 2001 - March 2001 - Part One: Regional Alberta tour.
April 2001 - Part Two: Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, AB
Quest Theatre & Calgary International Organ Foundation

Notes:
Music by Johann Sebastian Bach
Lyrics by Winn Bray
Directed by Duval Lang

Return to list

Evangeline
by Winn Bray

Style: Musical
Number of Acts: Two acts
Length: 100 mins
Total actors required: 17
Men: 11
Women: 6

Synopsis:
Evangeline by Bray and Doyle is an emotionally stirring musical which tells the story of exceptional love between the Acadian star crossed lovers, Evangeline and Gabriel. It is story of the extraordinary courage of an entire people; of love against all odds and of the strength of the human spirit. Inspired by the Acadian folk tale this musical is not the re-telling of Longfellow's poem but rather a new telling of the story of survival; of endurance, courage, faith and great love. Beautiful and bittersweet and set to the incredible music of award winning composer Tom Doyle, Evangeline by Bray and Doyle will make your spirits soar.

Production History:
First production followed by professional reading and dramaturgy at The Citadel Theatre, Edmonton in May 2003, Directed by Susanne Gillies-Smith, Dramaturge Vern Thiessen.

Alberta Playwrights' Network sponsored the first reading of the work in progress in 1992 and subsequently provided financial assistance for the May 2003 reading at the Citadel Theatre, Edmonton.

Notes:
Musical book and lyrics by Winn Bray
Original music by Tom Doyle
Directed by Brian Deedrick
Musical direction by Tom Doyle
Orchestrations by Wynne Gogol
Choreography by Sherrie Scherger
Set and Costume Design by Robert Shannon
Lighting Design by Douglas J. Rathbun, Fight work by J. P. Fournier

Return to list

Johann and the King
by Winn Bray

Style: Drama/Comedy
Number of Acts: One act
Length: 55 mins
Total actors required: 4
Men: 2
Women: 2

Synopsis:
A four hander which expands upon the stories already introduced in the one man show, J. S. Bach. The music of Bach plays an integral role as we are learn of his childhood, his years of study, his wife and children as well as his rivals.

Production History:
April 1998
Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, AB
Calgary International Organ Festival.
Directed by Mark Bellamy

Notes:
Ms. Bray , wrote and co-produced the in-school production, J.S. BACH, and the Jack Singer Concert Hall production, JOHANN AND THE KING, for the Calgary International Organ Foundation (CIOF)

Return to list

J. S. Bach in the Schools
by Winn Bray

Style: One-person show
Number of Acts: One act
Length: 35 mins
Total actors required: 1
Men: 1
Women: 0

Synopsis:
The story of Johann Sebastian Bach as related by the Capellmeister himself, the play reveals the man as well as the master, with all of his human strengths and failings. The play is told in two parts. The first is J.S. Bach, an intimate one man show designed to include an informal presentation on the workings of the pipe organ.For part two see Johann and the King by Winn Bray.

Production History:
February 4th - March 18th, 1998 Part One: Calgary Region School Tour - Calgary International Organ Festival.
Directed by Mark Bellamy

Notes:
Ms. Bray conceived, wrote and co-produced the in-school production, J.S. BACH, and the Jack Singer Concert Hall production, JOHANN AND THE KING, for the Calgary International Organ Foundation (CIOF)

Return to list

Nobody's Children
by Winn Bray

Style: Drama/Comedy
Number of Acts: One act
Length: 55 mins
Total actors required: 6
Men: 3
Women: 3

Synopsis:
Between 1870 and the mid 1920 s more than thirty thousand children migrated from England to Canada in what was probably the most ambitious philanthropic movement of the nineteenth century. Some children were fortunate in their destiny. Others were not. Based on actual accounts, NOBODY S CHILDREN is an absorbing and powerful play about the lives and experiences of three of these children. And although their stories come from the nineteenth century, some things never change. The need to feel safe at home. The need to love and be loved. The need to be somebody's child.

Production History:
February 2003 Calgary Region School Tour
Mount Royal College Department of Theatre and Speech
Directed by Winn Bray

February 2000 Calgary Region School Tour
Mount Royal College Department of Theatre and Speech
Directed by James Brewer

February 2000 Calgary Region School Tour
Mount Royal College Department of Theatre and Speech
NOBODY'S CHILDREN - the participation play for 4-6
3w2m
Directed by James Brewer

Carousel Players, St, Catharines, Ont. 1986, 1984
Original Participation production supported by the Ontario Arts Council
Directed by Duncan McGregor

Notes:
Original music by Dan VanWyck

Return to list

Ranchers and Rails
by Winn Bray

Style: Drama/Comedy
Number of Acts: One act
Length: 55 mins
Total actors required: 6
Men: 3
Women: 3

Synopsis:
After five generations of struggle and success can Sam keep the family ranch afloat in these most difficult of times? Or is his sister, Veronica, right about giving up and selling it all off? For Sam and Veronica the answers to their future may lay in the heritage of their past. Winn Bray's Ranchers and Rails, explores the life of Albertan Ranchers, past and present; their determination, resilience and stubborn struggle from the first free range cattle ranches to the advent of the CPRail to the new challenges of the 21st century.

Production History:
February 2005 Calgary School Tour
Mount Royal College Department of Theatre and Speech
Directed by Carol Curties

Notes:

Return to list

Rumplestiltskin
by Winn Bray

Style: Musical
Number of Acts: One act
Length: 55 mins
Total actors required: 12
Men: 8
Women: 4

Synopsis:
An unconventional re-telling of the Brothers Grimm tale, this Rockin Rumplestiltskin wants a child of his own to mentor in the ways of magic. Young Prince Glen, bolstered by his best friend and Jester, Clyde, struggles with his own sense of inadequacies in an attempt to court the beautiful Emma and prove to his father, the King, that he is worthy of being Royal. And the King who has one love, money, shares The Secret of My Sweet Success in a fun loving song and dance reminiscent of Vaudeville. With the music of Tom Doyle, this Rumplestiltskin is a toe tapper with a surprise twist ending.

Production History:
MRC Shakespeare in the Park, Calgary, 1993
Directed by Duval Lang

Shakespeare in the Park, Calgary, 1997
Directed by Mark Belamy

Kanata Theatre, 2002
Directed y Barbara Kobolak

Notes:
Music by Tom Doyle

Return to list

Scaramouche
by Winn Bray

Style: Drama
Number of Acts: Two acts
Length: 100 mins
Total actors required: 13
Men: 10
Women: 3

Synopsis:
From the murder of one innocent young seminarist to full blown bloody revolution in the streets of Paris, SCARAMOUCHE is a swashbuckling tale of romance, revenge and political upheaval. Adapted from Raphael Sabatini s 1921 novel, this play resonates with uncanny parallels of the modern political climate. And what of these special men of privilege? They set themselves apart from responsibility, these self-proclaimed. They answer to no one for they believe themselves to be above the laws of God and answering to no man. And if those inalienable rights be challenged how do they answer? By changing the law. People of Rennes, where is your Constitution? It bubbles in the melting pot of power, rancid with their schemes and private agendas.

Production History:
November, 1990 - Wright Theatre, Calgary AB
Directed by Lorne Kennedy
Set and Costume Designs by Lara Cassels
Lighting Design by Douglas J. Rathbun
Fight Direction by J. P. Fournier

Notes:
Commissioned and Produced
by Lynn DuFort, Mount Royal College
1990

Return to list

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Winn Bray