A Biographical Checklist

Abstract

Born on March 31, 1938 in Flin Flon, Manitoba. Father in the lumber business. At the age of 12, she moves with her family to Vancouver for six months and then to Edmonton. Early background in music. Possibility of a career as a concert pianist. Begins performing publicly as well as teaching piano to adults and children at the age of 13. At the age of 16. she is offered a full scholarship to study further in Toronto. Family urges her to remain at home. Begins writing at this time a verse drama entitled Twisted Roots (one act) which wins a national writing contest for high school students. The play is published two years later in a hard cover collection entitled First Flowering edited by Anthony Frisch. At the age of 18, she wins an acting scholarship to study theatre at the Banff School of Fine Arts. While at Banff, she writes her first full-length play. My Torah. My Tree. In 1956, enrolls at McGill University in Montreal majoring in English. Is instrumental in forming an experimental theatre company at McGill to produce original plays. The group produces two of her one acts — A Play and The Birth. She also acts, directs and helps administrate the company. In 1958, she transfers to the University of British Columbia where she earns a B.A. in English and Theatre. The following year she is given a scholarship to study theatre during the summer at UBC with Brian Way and Robert Gill. 1959-1961, she travels, works and studies in Europe. In 1961, the first of her three sons is born.