"Us" by J. Straker and yours truly, short-listed for Stage​ ​West​ ​Pechet​ ​Family​ ​Musical​ ​Award

So happy to finally announce: Us, the musical written by Jeffery Straker and yours truly, which opens in March 2018 at Globe Theatre main stage, has been short-listed for the Stage West Pechet Family Musical Award (Playwrights Guild Canada) for best new Canadian musical. So honored to be on this list. Huge thanks to Camp Fyreflysask, Globe Theatre, Saskatchewan Arts Board, University of Regina MAP dept, Roberta McKay & Elmer Brennan and Saskatchewan Playwrights Centre for their indispensable support of this project. Winner announced Oct 29 at the Tom Hendry Awards in TO.

Stage​ ​West​ ​Pechet​ ​Family​ ​Musical​ ​Award​ is given annually for a new musical work by a PGC-member, which has not yet had a premiere production. JURY: Ted​ ​Dykstra​ (Chair), Clara​ ​Bullock​, Meghan​ ​Gardiner​, and Peter​ ​Jorgensen​. Kelley​ ​Jo​ ​Burke​ ​(Co-creators:​ ​Jeffrey​ ​Straker)​ (​ SK) for​ ​Us​, Julie​ ​McIsaac​ ​&​ ​Corey​ ​Payette​ ​(BC) for​ ​Les​ ​Filles​ ​Du​ ​Roi​,​ ​and Joe​ ​Slabe​ ​(AB) for​ ​The​ ​Urban​ ​Jungle​ ​Book​.

Watch the announcement HERE

It happened! And it's available for streaming now! Bringing Up Furbaby!

My new documentary is live on the CBC IDEAS website--click in to stream it anytime!

 http://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/bringing-up-furbaby-the-evolution-from-family-pet-to-pet-family-1.4136659

CNFC/CARTE BLANCHE 2017 CONTEST SHORTLIST REVEALED! and I'm on it....

Holee! Who knew?

Just look at this! And watch a video of me reading an excerpt for the conference celebration!

 THE CNFC AND CARTE BLANCHE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THEIR 2016–2017 CREATIVE NONFICTION CONTEST SHORTLIST.

The winner will be announced on May 5 in Vancouver, BC at the 13th annual CNFC conference.

The shortlist was selected by contest judge, Andreas Schroeder.

“To the Lighthouse,” by Kelley Jo Burke

Kelley Jo Burke is an award-winning drama and nonfiction writer, and writing teacher.  Her musical Us premieres March 2018 at Regina’s Globe Theatre, and “Bringing Up Fur Baby” (CBC Radio’s IDEAS) airs May 2017.

“The Unicycle in My Garage,” by Barb Howard

Barb Howard has published  three novels and one collection of short fiction. She has recently started to explore the amazing and difficult process of writing creative nonfiction.

“A Chaotic Jumble of Infinite Possibility” by Joshua Levy

Joshua Levy is a frequent storyteller on CBC Radio and recently received a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts to write a memoir. He splits his time between Montreal, Toronto, and Lisbon, Portugal.

Congratulations to our three finalists and thank you to everyone who participated!

Us: a coming in musical premieres on the Regina Globe Theatre mainstage Feb 28, 2017

Us, a musical by Kelley Jo Burke and Jeffery Straker will get its world premiere on the Regina Globe mainstage, spring 2018. 

http://leaderpost.com/entertainment/local-arts/globe-theatre-unveils-diverse-lineup-for-2017-18-season

Theatre 215 AE Intro Scriptwriting!

So pleased to announce this!  My new online scriptwriting course, Theatre 215AE, will be available through URegina Media Arts and Performance (MAP)--starting Winter 2017. It combines on-line at-home work with three live-on-video writers' workshops, and individual consultation and dramaturgy with me. It's gonna be fun!