Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia
Blackburn, Richard
Artistic director and founder of the Théâtre de la Dame de Coeur, an imaginative and spectacular summer family theatre in the small town of Upton, Quebec. Richard Blackburn created the fusionist theatre that is presented by the Company: a combination of puppets (small to gigantic, indeed a couple of storeys high in some cases), music, issue-oriented text (ie: environmental protection). All of it was under the stars until the government built a venue for the company in 1995.
Because of his work with large scenic elements, Blackburn has also been called upon to design and direct the huge Fête National parades in Montreal, as well as the gigantic and beautifully realized parade for the 350th anniversary of the city of Montreal. In June 2000, he coordinated the Fête Nationale parade in Montreal.
For the Dame de Coeur he has mounted over 80 productions for the past 42 years, played over 30 roles and written dozens of scripts.
He is also a professor of theatre at the CEGEPs at St-Hyacinthe and Granby, and a recipient of an Arts Grant A from the Canada Council for the Arts.
Profile by Gaetan Charlebois
Last updated 2020-05-07
Since October 2002, Athabasca University has hosted the web site, with an editorial board of theatre scholars from across Canada.
To submit an entry, please consult the guidelines for submissions.
Email your submission to: Anne Nothof, Professor Emerita, Athabasca University.
The Encyclopedia collects and disseminates information on plays, playwrights and theatre practitioners. It does not respond to requests for information, auditions, bookings, or tickets.
The Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia web site was originally conceived and developed in 1996 by Gaetan Charlebois—theatre critic, playwright, and actor.
