News Releases
TORONTO, November 1, 2010 – BMO Financial Group announced today that Vancouver-based director Kim Collier has been selected as the recipient of the 2010 Elinore & Lou Siminovitch Prize in Theatre, the largest theatre award in the country. This year is the 10th year the Siminovitch Prize has been awarded and marks $1 million in prizes that have gone to enhance the Canadian theatre industry.
Collier received a cheque for $75,000 at a ceremony in
Collier was chosen from a short list of six finalists including Ron Jenkins (
"In choosing Kim Collier as the winner of the 2010 Siminovitch Prize, the jury wanted to recognize Kim's leadership and spirit of innovation in the theatre world," said Maureen Labont�, Jury Chair. "As a director, she encourages artistic risk and excellence, is a believer in the power of community and is an impressive mentor for emerging artists."
Collier is credited with founding Electric Company Theatre, whose work quickly became recognized nationally as a driving force behind the resurgence of activity in
Collier also has a growing presence on major stages and festivals across
“There is something divine about receiving the Siminovitch Prize at this time in my life. I pledge to honour this prize, to not forget this gift and how, through this opportunity, I can strengthen my heart, my vision, my knowledge, and my understanding. I vow to bring this inspiration into the work, and may that work ultimately reach and inspire the larger community,” said Collier.
“From all of us at BMO Financial Group, I would like to congratulate Kim on her outstanding achievements and contribution to Canadian theatre,” said Gilles Ouellette, President and CEO, Private Client Group, BMO Financial Group. “The Siminovitch Prize represents the excellence,innovation and exploration Kim has demonstrated continuously throughout her career. Her work is an example of the creativity that thrives in
Anita Rochon, Prot�g�
Anita Rochon is a Vancouver-based director who has been involved in the development of more than 20 new pieces of theatre, ranging from movement-based works, to verbatim theatre, to traditional scripts. She is artistic director of The Chop Theatre with Emelia Symington Fedy, producers of KISMET one to one hundred, 2 Truths 1 Lie = Proof (HIVE) and Townsville (Magnetic North). Among many other projects she choreographed and directed Now he belongs to the ages (angels) which was showcased at the Theatre Centre last spring. In
About the 2010 Siminovitch Prize Jury
This year's jury was lead by Maureen Labont�, a Montreal-based translator and dramaturge. Other members of the jury included:
� Marie Clements,
� Jillian Keiley,
� Alain Jean, Ottawa, Ontario, director, actor and teacher, presently the Director General of Development Projects at the Association des th��tres francophones du Canada.
� Marti Maraden, Stratford, Ontario, well-known actress and director, was Artistic Director of English Theatre at the National Arts Centre from 1997-2005.
� Marcus Youssef, Vancouver, BC, Artistic Producer of Vancouver's Neworld Theatre, and Artistic Associate of the Magnetic North Theatre Festival in Ottawa.
About the Siminovitch Prize
The Siminovitch Prize in Theatre was introduced in 2001 and dedicated to renowned scientist Lou Siminovitch and his late wife Elinore, a playwright. Sponsored by BMO Financial Group,
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� Montreal designer Louise Campeau - 2003
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� Montr�al director Brigitte Haentjens - 2007
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Contacts:
Amanda Robinson,
Nini Krishnappa,
Sarah Bensadoun,
Laurie Grant, Vancouver, laurie.grant@bmo.com, (604) 665-7596
Internet:
The $100,000 Siminovitch Prize in Theatre is awarded to director Kim Collier at an event in Toronto tonight. In photo (from left): Andrew Auerbach, Senior Vice-President and Head of BMO Harris Private Banking, Collier, Dr. Lou Siminovitch, Founder, Anita Rochon, Siminovitch Protege Award Recipient, and Maureen Labonte, Jury Chair.