Jamie Skidmore

 

Position

  • Full Professor
  • Coordinator, Diploma in Stage and Screen Technique

Education

  • Radio and Television Broadcasting Diploma (Algonquin College)
  • PhD (University of Toronto)
  • MA (University of Toronto)
  • BA, hons (Queen’s University)
  • Shastri Institute Indo-Canadian Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, M. G. Government College of the Arts in association with Pondicherry University, India.

Contact Information

Research Interests

Theatre, Drama, Newfoundland Theatre, Puppetry

Selected Publications

Scholarly

Books

  • The Design Process. Linus Learning, 2014.

Selected Articles & Book Chapters

  • “Three Newfoundland Playwrights.” Pathways of Creativity in Contemporary Newfoundland and Labrador, edited by María Jesús Hernáes Lerena, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2015, pp. 191-210.
  • “Defying Death: Children in the Indian Circus.” Children and Entertainment: The Participation of Youth in the Entertainment Industry, edited by Gillian Arrighi and Victor Emeljanow, Palgrave MacMillan, 2014, pp. 219-233.
  • “Implicit and Explicit Video Game Structure in Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.” Engaging with Videogames: Play, Theory and Practice, edited by Dawn Stobbart and Monica Evans, Inter-Disciplinary Press, 2014, pp. 247-253.
  • “Fabulous Risk: Danger and Performance in Circus and Sideshow: Introduction.” Open Semiotics Resource Center. May 2007. www.semioticon.com.
  • “Dark and Ancient Roots - The Circus of the Sun.” Open Semiotics Resource Center. May 2007. www.semioticon.com.
  • “Carnival Diablo: The Sideshow in Canada.” Canadian Theatre Review, edited by Reid Gilbert, Fall 2004, pp. 57-61.
  • “Stripping the Circus of Spectacle.” Spectacle: The Quarterly Journal of the Circus Arts, edited by Ernest Albrecht, Fall 2003, pp. 44-45.
  • “Reading the New Circus.” The Vancouver Sun. Saturday, 14 September 2002.
  • “The Multi-Modal Language of Cirque du Soleil.” Open Semiotics Resource Center. May 2002. www.semioticon.com.

Creative

  • Cod Love, Isle aux Morts Theatre Festival, NL, 2017: writer, director
  • A Fish Tale, Isle aux Morts Theatre Festival, NL, 2017: writer, director
  • Moby Dick - Rehearsed, Orson Welles (writer), Barbara Barrett Theatre, St. John’s, 2017: director
  • Grunge Is Dead Katharine Sherman (writer), St. John’s Shorts, St. John’s, 2017: director
  • Apes, Cole Hayley (writer), St. John’s Shorts, St. John’s, 2017: director
  • Tangly, Nicole Rousseau (director), LSPU Hall, St. John’s, 2017: set designer
  • Twilight Zone 5, Fabian O’Keefe (director), Barbara Barrett Theatre, St. John’s, 2017: set designer, light designer
  • Sleepers, Michael Frayne (writer), St. John’s Shorts, St. John’s, 2016: director
  • Double Axe Murders, Berni Stapleton (writer), Granite Coast Theatre Festival 2016: director
  • Summer Nights, Nickel Film Festival 2016: writer, director
  • The Weir, Leo Furey (director), LSPU Hall, St. John’s, 2016: set designer
  • Jewel, Leo Furey (director), LSPU Hall, St. John’s, 2016: set designer
  • Our Ancient Family, North West River, Goose Bay, and Mary’s Harbour, NL 2015: writer, director
  • Agnes of God, John Peilmeier (writer), Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre, Gander; Arts and Culture Centre, St. John’s 2015: director, set designer
  • Christingle, An Evening of Labrador Film, Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre; Moravian Christmas in Labrador, The Rooms, St. John’s 2014: writer, director
  • Song of the Mermaid, Hairyman Cafe, Isle aux Morts; LSPU Hall, St. John’s; Endeavour Stage, Cupids; New Curtain Theatre, Clarenville; Grand Bank Theatre, Grand Bank, 2013 & 2017: writer, director
  • 39 Steps, Janet O’Reilly (director), LSPU Hall, St. John’s, 2016: lighting designer
  • The Hag Under the Bridge – Short, not released, 2015: writer, director
  • Hunger, Michael Waller (director), LSPU Hall, St. John’s, 2015: lighting designer
  • The Pavillion, Ian Campbell (director), Barbara Barrett Theatre, St. John’s, 2015: lighting designer
  • Centurians (workshop), Nicole Rousseau (director), LSPU Hall, St. John’s, 2015: lighting designer
  • Berni and Amy Rise Up!, Amy House (director), NL and ON Tour 2015: lighting designer
  • Vimy, Louise Kearley (director), ACC, Gander, 2015: lighting designer
  • Molly on the Shore, Fabian O’Keefe (director), ACC, Gander, 2015: lighting designer
  • Birch Brook Ski Club (working title), not released 2014/15: writer, director
  • Knud, Rob Ormsby (writer), Vimeo - not released 2014: director
  • Girl in the Goldfish Bowl, Morris Panych (writer), Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre, Happy Valley-Goose Bay; Stephenville Arts and Culture Centre, Stephenville, 2014: director, set designer
  • Trapline Marathon, An Evening of Labrador Film, Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, 2014: director
  • Unity (1918), Kevin Kerr (writer), Barbara Barrett Theatre, St. John’s, 2014: director, set designer, lighting designer
  • Here, Ruth Lawrence (director), Barbara Barrett Theatre, St. John’s, 2014: set designer
  • Twilight Zone 3, Fabian O’Keefe (director), Barbara Barrett Theatre, St. John’s, 2014: lighting designer
  • The Tower, Under the Bridge Productions - Experimental 2013: writer, director
  • NLAC Arts Awards, Tony Murray (director), Cook Recital Hall, St. John’s, 2013: set designer
  • The Front, https://vimeo.com/75068672 2013: writer, director, set designer, light designer
  • Can’t Sleep, Under the Bridge Productions – Short, 2013: writer, director
  • Song of the Mermaid, Various, 2013: director, set designer
  • Cosi fan Tutte, Caroline Schiller (director), Holy Heart Theatre, St. John’s, 2013: set designer
  • The Ogre’s Purse, Nicole Rousseau (director), Newfoundland Tour 2013: lighting designer
  • In Stitches, Amy House/Berni Stapleton (director), Newfoundland Tour 2013: lighting designer
  • Harvey, LSPU Hall, St. John’s, 2013: lighting designer
  • Shabaret, Lois Brown (director), LSPU Hall 2013: lighting designer
  • Atomic Warriors, Calder Theatre, London, UK; Barbara Barrett Theatre, St. John’s, 2012: writer, director
  • Bride of the Titanic, Calm Air prologue, Marine Institute, St. John’s, 2012: writer
  • One Mile, Nifco/Under the Bridge Co-Production, 2012: writer, director
  • Secret Life of a Troll, Under the Bridge - in Production, 2012: writer
  • Alligator Man, Under the Bridge - Premiered: Coney Island Film Festival - Music Video Treatment 2012 https://vimeo.com/34356505: writer, director, set designer
  • High Low, Adam Clarke (writer), http://vimeo.com/65264985, 2012: director
  • Beetlejuice, Ryan Walsh (writer), Gower Street Church, St. John’s, 2012: set designer
  • Kingdom, Michael Waller (director), LSPU Hall, St. John’s, 2012: lighting designer
  • Ted X, Majestic Theatre, St. John’s, 2012: lighting designer
  • The Hill, Under the Bridge - Music Video Treatment, 2011: writer, director
  • Dead Man’s Lament, Under the Bridge - Music Video Treatment, 2011: writer, director
  • NLAC Arts Awards, Berni Stapleton (writer), Reid Theatre, St. John’s, 2011: set designer
  • Eli and the Death Curse, Nicole Rousseau (writer), LSPU Hall, St. John’s, 2011: set designer
  • Easy Down Easy, Mary Walsh (writer), LSPU Hall, St. John’s; Grand Bank, 2010: set designer
  • Until June, Sherry White (writer) LSPU Hall, St. John’s, 2010: set designer
  • Momentum, Brad Hodder (writer), Reid Theatre, St. John’s, 2010: set designer
  • The Magic Kingdom, Pat Dempsey (writer), Basement Theatre, St. John’s, 2009: set designer
  • By a Thread, Andy Jones (writer), Majestic Theatre, St. John’s, 2009: set designer
  • “ Herstory” of N.L., Lois Brown/Sara Tilley (directors), Majestic Theatre, St. John’s, 2009: lighting designer
  • Crazy For You, Dorrie Brown (writer), CNA, Goose Bay, 2008: set designer
  • Ghost on the Shore Bakeapple Festival, Point aux Morte, 2007: writer
  • Mother Courage, Bertolt Brecht (writer), Reid Theatre, St. John’s, 2007: director
  • Woyzeck, Georg Buchner (writer), Reid Theatre, St. John’s, 2006: director, set designer
  • Lulu, Sara Tilley (director), L.S.P.U. Hall, St. John’s, 2006: lighting designer
  • The Crucible, Jennifer Deon (writer), Reid Theatre, St. John’s, 2005: set designer
  • Red Noses, Danielle Irvine (director), Reid Theatre, St. John’s, 2005: set designer, lighting designer
  • Hansel and Gretel, Caroline Schiller (writer), Cook Recital Hall, St. John’s, 2005: set designer
  • Mr. Invisible, Mark Wilson (director), L.S.P.U. Hall, St. John’s, 2005: set designer, lighting designer
  • The Pope and Princess Di, Jill Keiley (writer), Arts and Culture Centre, St. John’s, 2004: set designer
  • Mad Forest, Denyse Lynde (director), Reid Theatre, St. John’s, 2004: set designer, lighting designer
  • That Summer, David French (writer), U.C.F.V. Theatre, 2003: director
  • Wild Oats, Denyse Lynde (director), Reid Theatre, St. John’s, 2003: set designer, lighting designer
  • Blue/Orange, Richard Wolfe (writer), Performance Works, Vancouver, 2003: set designer
  • The Herbal Bed, Rick Mawson (writer), UCFV Abbotsford Theatre, Abbotsford, 2002: set designer
  • The Queens, John Juliani (director), Jericho Arts Centre, Vancouver, 2002: set designer, lighting designer
  • Fugitives, Richard Wolfe (director), Performance Works, York, 2002: set designer, lighting designer
  • Night Desk Richard Wolfe (director), Studio 16 - La Maison, Vancouver, 2001: set designer, lighting designer
  • Noel, Cori Caulfield (director), Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam, 2001: lighting designer
  • Closer, Richard Wolfe (director), Performance Works, Van. 2001: lighting designer
  • Alice Through the Looking Glass, Bruce Kirkley (director), UCFV Abbotsford Theatre, Abbotsford, 2001: lighting designer
  • Jewel/Never Swim Alone, UCFV Abbotsford Theatre, Abbotsford , 2001: lighting designer
  • Waiting for Godot, Richard Wolfe (director), UCFV Abbotsford Theatre, Abbotsford, 2000: lighting designer
  • Animal Farm, George Orwell / Nelson Bond (writers), Annex Theatre, Toronto, 1997: director
  • The War in Heaven/ Mere Mortals, Sam Shepard & Joseph Chaikin / David Ives (writers), Atlantic Fringe, Foot Festival; Sudbury Fringe, Summerworks, 1995: director

TECHNICAL DIRECTION AND PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

  • Magnetic North Theatre Festival 2006

Current Research Projects

  • Theatre Festivals of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Puppetry Projects: 1) Melody and the Fishes; and 2) Frankenpuppet

Conference Keynote / Plenary Talks

  • “Dark and Ancient Roots - The Circus of the Sun.” Fabulous Risk: Danger in Circus and Sideshow Conference, University of Wollongong, Australia, 2006.

Conference Presentations and Lectures

  • “Knowing You, Knowing Me: A Message to Dental Professionals from Youth of NunatuKavut.” Oral Health and Indigenous Youth: A Forum for Community Members, Researchers, and Policy-Makers, 2015, Dalhousie University, Canada.
  • “Defying Death:Children in the Indian Circus.” American Society for Theatre Research, Dallas, 2014, Texas, USA.
  • “The Video Game World of Edgar Wright.” 5th Global Conference: Video Game Cultures and the Future of the Interactive, 2013, Oxford University, UK.
  • “Identity in the Films of Edgar Wright.” The European Conference on Arts & Humanities, 2013, Brighton, UK,.
  • “Circus, Design, and Short Films.” Research Matters, Department of English, 2013, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada.
  • “iPad and the Student Filmmaker.” (with A. Goulding and E. Alcock). 2nd International Conference on Popular Culture and Education, 2011, Hong Kong Institute of Education, China.
  • “Director’s Cut: Students’ ipad Experience.” (with J. Costello,A. Goulding, and E. Alcock). 18th Annual Sloan-C International Conference on Online Learning – Online Learning, Teaching and Research in the New Media Ecology, 2011, Orlando, USA.
  • “Designing for Clowns.” 5th International Conference on Design Principles and Practices, 2010, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
  • “The Circus in India: Bal Mitra Gram??” St. John’s Public Lectures in Philosophy – 7th Series, Department of Philosophy, 2005, Memorial University of Newfoundland (The Ship Inn), Canada.
  • “The Mulitmodal Language of Cirque du Soleil.” Multi-Modality of Human Communication Conference, 2002, University of Toronto, Canada.
  • “Queerness in Disneyland: Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba.” CLGSA/SCELG Conference, 2001, Laval University, Canada.
  • “Contortion: Its Twisted Evolution within Cirque du Soleil.” ACTR Conference, 2000, University of Alberta, Canada.
  • “The ‘Other’ of Venice: Orson Welles’ Othello .” Festival of Original Theatre (F.O.O.T.), 1995, University of Toronto, Canada.

Other Professional Activities

  • Artistic Director of the Isle aux Morts Theatre Festival
  • Founding and Executive Member of St. John’s Shorts Festival

Awards

  • The Houdini Winner of Nickel Screenwriting Contest 2013: writer
  • The Allan Power Memorial Trophy for Excellence in Lighting Design. Twilight Zone V. NL Drama Festival, 2018.
  • Harvey Rose Bowl for Best Visual Presentation: Twilight Zone V. NL Drama Festival. Received as part of the design team (lighting and set design), 2018.
  • Marie Leonard Award. This award is given to the Mokami player who, in the previous 12 months, demonstrates commitment, dedication and interest in the activities of the Mokami Players, 2015.
  • The Neala F. Griffin Trophy for Best Direction. Agnes of God. NL Drama Festival, 2015.
  • The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Festival Award for Best Presentation of a Full-Length Play. Agnes of God. NL Drama Festival, 2015.
  • The Allan Power Memorial Trophy for Excellence in Lighting Design. Vimy. NL Drama Festival, 2015.
  • 2015 Harvey Rose Bowl for Best Visual Presentation: Vimy. NL Drama Festival. Received as part of the design team (lighting design).

Regularly Taught Courses

Undergraduate

  • English 2850: What is Film?
  • English 3156: Modern Canadian Drama
  • English 3351: The Physical Stage and Video Production
  • English 3713: British Drama in Performance
  • English 4401: Producing the Play
  • English 4302: Contemporary British Drama
  • English 4400: Directing
  • Communication Studies 3816: Television
  • Communication Studies 4402: Producing the Documentary