The Artists

PEI Summer resident Elmer Harris (1878-1966)  (Johnny Belinda)

Biography to come

Jackie Torrens (Onceuponia )

Jackie, a Nova Scotia based playwright and actor, was born in Sherwood, PEI. Her mother had labour pains in a boat off Covehead Harbour, but it came back in time for her to be born in town, so she is truly an Islander. Torrens' critically acclaimed plays, including Fables, have been professionally produced by Eastern Front, Two Planks and A Passion and Mulgrave Theatre. Her play Georama premiered at the National Arts Center in Ottawa, as part of the Atlantic Scene Festival. Her play Live! Nude! Animal! was filmed for the Bravo! Channel. Her monologues have been published in the compendium She Speaks!, edited by Judith Thompson. As an actor, Torrens has won two Gemini Awards for her work on CBC's Made In Canada. She has also been nominated for a Gemini for her writing work on Trailer Park Boys. Her short film Pickled Punk was her directorial debut and, after touring the national film festival circuit, will air this year on CTV. She is also co-artistic director of Fat Morgan Theatre. Currently, she is a regular contributor to CBC Radio.

Jackie has appeared as an actor in Private Lives, The Importance of Being Earnest and Village Wooing for The Montgomery. She teaches playwrighting at the Prince Edward Island Conservatory. She is currently starring in A Beautiful View at the Neptune Theatre in Halifax until October 31, 2009.

Karen Gallant: Designer, Onceuponia

Karen Gallant is a native of South Rustico where her gallery is currently above the meat freezer of her brother's grocery store which was once operated by her Grandfather. Her work is now part of many private collections in the Maritime Region and around the world The style of Gallants work in vibrant, energetic, simplicity and painterly. There is a hint of underlying symbolism often following the cycle of love to death, freedon thorugh space and uninhibited thinking about the Island’s enviorment and its ordered, playfull chaos. Inspired by elements and rhythms of the Islands landscape, people, nature and local stories, her art inspires an instant feeling of having captured spirits between worlds. Working in acrylics and mixed media (sometimes using found objects) Gallants work seeks the mysterious speak at the heart of Island stories that have been passed down by generations of natural observers and tellers.

Karen’s work is showed and/or owned by The Canada Council Art Bank, the PEI provincial Art Bank, the Ottawa City Hall Gallery, the National Arts Centre,

Duncan McIntosh: Artistic Director, Director, Johnny Belinda

Duncan McIntosh lives in West Covehead, PEI and is the editor of the Stanhope Historical Society Newsletter. He has directed  theatre, opera and special events around the world for 30 years. He has been the provided Artistic Direction for Canada’s largest theatres including The Charlottetown Festival, The Citadel Theatre, Edmonton, Theatre Plus, Toronto and the Shaw Festival where he founded the Academy of the Shaw Festival. He founded the Prince Edward Island Conservatory where he is currently Artistic Director.  

He directed the re-dedication Ceremonies of Canada’s War Monument in Vimy, France for her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II; the celebrations for the 400th anniversary of the first French Settlements in North America and the largest book reading in the world for the Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. He programmed the first PEI Jazz and Blues Festival; directed the world premiere of “Anne and Gilbert”. He is a Director of the Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority and the L. M. Montgomery Institute.

Mike Ross: Composer, Johnny Belinda

Mike Ross is an accomplished musician and actor who has combined his classical training with an acute pop sensibility to produce very important Canadian work including The Dennis Lee Project and his current production, Civil Elegies, also with poet Dennis Lee. Mike has won multiple ECMAs with his former band the Jive Kings and has now released his debut solo album The Dennis Lee Project to critical acclaim. Mike recently returned from a six week residency at The Globe Theatre, London. Mike received Dora award for his composition of Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre production of Under Milkwood.

Alex Scott

Alex has appeared as an actor on Broadway ( Moliere’s the Misanthrope),  Off Broadway  where his work includes  many of Tony Award winner Warren Leight’s plays where he originated characters in The Final Interrogation of Ceacescu’s Dog - directed by Tony Award winner Jack Hofsis  Alex has appeared in more than fifty  regional theatre plays including Hot L Baltimore and Skin of our Teeth at the acclaimed Williamstown Theatre Festival.  His television credits include Law and Order, his independent film appearances include the work of maverick directors Lodge Kerrigan (Kean),  Amos Kollek (Bitter Glory) and Campbell Scott (Company Retreat).

As a writer, Alex created The Hearth with Kevin Bacon and Dana Ivey  at Ensemble Studio Theatre and The Bastard , an ensemble creation.  Bastard II is now being created with an ensemble of Prince Edward Island artists at Factory Atlantic in Charlottetown. As a producer, Alex created the  theatre component of the First New York International Festival of the Arts  which included Gate Theatre of Ireland's production of  "Juno and the Paycock," described by New York Times critic Frank Rich as the "one of the finest dramas seen on Broadway in twenty years."