Biography header

Talia currently teaches drama at the University of Winnipeg. She also has many years of experience teaching drama in the public school system. Since 1987, she has also acted as an adjudicator in Speech Arts and Drama Festivals throughout Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

She has conducted many drama workshops for teachers, actors and community groups. Since publishing her book, Stages: Creative Ideas for Teaching Drama, she has also developed workshops tailored to fit the groups that she is working with. Drama is an excellent medium to utilize in Professional Development for any staff. It can be highly effective as a team building workshop or as a means of re-energizing hard working professionals. Workshops are designed to fit your specific objectives.

Talia is currently the coordinator of a Youth Mentorship Program in the Arts, though ACI (Arts and Cultural Industries Association of Manitoba). Funded by MB4Youth, Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors, she provides support for several programs offering youth, aged 16 to 24, an opportunity to be mentored by a professional in a broad range of artistic disciplines.

Talia is a past president of MAP (Manitoba Association of Playwrights)
Past president of the board of Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers
President of the Manitoba Branch Council of ACTRA and
National Councilor for ACTRA Manitoba.

Theater Roles
Member of EQUITY

Queen of my Heart
Mrs. Patrick Campbell
RMTC’s ShawFest 2012


Mary Rose
Mrs. Ottery/Mrs. Amy
George Toles, dir. Wpg. Fringe 2011


Harriet Bosse
Harriet Bosse
MTC’s StrindbergFest 2011


Mata Hari: Eroticism & Espionage
solo drama
Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2009


Prairie Spirits
Mrs. Quinn
Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2009


Some Kind of Love Story
Angela
Carolyn Gray, dir. MTC’s MillerFest 2009


Demons of the Mind
Marie
Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2008


Metamorphosis
Solo Drama
Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2007


The Good Daughter
Mrs. Quin
Loc Luc, dir. Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2007


A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Puck
Shakespeare in the Ruins 2007


The Ostrich Club
Delilah
Dial M for Murder 2007


Surprise, Surprise
Laurette
MB.Theatre Centre’s TremblayFest 2004


Cheap Goods
Various roles
J. Burleson, dir. Wpg. Fringe 2003


The Sandbox
Grandma
MB.Theatre Centre’s AlbeeFest 2003


Bette Davis Eyes
solo drama
Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2002


Confessions of an Art School Model
solo drama
NYC, Toronto, Minnesota, Winnipeg Fringe Festivals 2001/2002


Attractions & a Virgin
Various
Collective – Wpg. Fringe 2000


Pre 2000

3 Portraits
Mary/Kathy/Linda
Cairn Moore, dir. independent


Trip’s Cinch
Val Greco
J. Burleson, dir. Wpg. Fringe


Adam’s Eves
Woman
H. Rouppe, dir. P.T.A.M.


The Reunion
Mona
F. Adamson, dir. Dinner Theatre


Surprise, Surprise
Jeanne
D. Schuerbeke

dir. Wpg. Fringe


The Whispering Time
Laura
D. Schuerbeke

dir. Wpg. Fringe


Murder on the Rocks
Yvonne
G. Zeretski

dir. Dinner Theatre


Irene
Marabelle
W. Burgess

dir. Rainbow Stage


The King and I
Topsy
W. Burgess

dir. Rainbow Stage


A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Moth
A. Hassnan

dir. MTC. Wpg.


Boggie Boys & Navy Nurses
Carol
Celebrations Dinner Theatre


A Marriage Proposal
Natalia
M. Reinhardt Theatre

(CN tour)


The Bear
Mrs. Popov
M. Reinhardt Theatre

(CN tour)


A Mouthful of Birds
Doreen
D. Schuerbeke

dir. Black Hole


As You Like It
Phoebe
Assiniboine Theatre Co.


Romeo and Juliet
Juliet
Assiniboine Theatre Co.

Film and Television Roles
Member of A.C.T.R.A.

Christmas Heart
Actor
Hallmark Productions / Gary Yates 2012


American Girl
Principal
Velma Productions / Vince Marcello 2011


Intel
Actor
Z3 Productions / Talia Pura 2011


Cashing In – Season Three
Principal
APTN / Norma Bailey 2010


The Hauntings
Lead
Guy Maddin/Darcy Fehr 2010


Cashing In, season 2
Actor
Norma Bailey-director 2009


I Dream of You
Lead
Independent/Talia Pura 2009


Truce
Principal
Independent / Cam Patterson 2008


Long Lost Lovers
Principal
Independent / Corey King 2008


Menace
Principal
Independent / Chris Vandale 2008


The Strawberry Confession
Lead
Independent / Talia Pura 2008


Lady of the House
Principal
Independent / Damien Ferland 2008


Collections
Lead
Independent / Talia Pura 2007


Family Portraits
Principal
Independent / Sean Simes 2006


Elijah
Actor
Paul Unwin, Director 2007


What Will the Neighbours Say?
Lead
Kellie Thomson, Director 2006


Sombra Dolorosa
Lead
Guy Maddin, Director 2005


Saddest Music in the World
Major Supporting
Guy Maddin, Director 2003


Seven Times Lucky
Actor
Gary Yates, Director 2004


The Big White
Actor
Mark Mylod, Director 2005


Lost
Actor
Zach Robson, Director 2005


Blow Me
Principal
Jaimz Barton, Director 2005


The Mary Kay Project
Actor
Ed Germon, Dir/Prod. 2002


Pre 2000

The Weekend
Principal
The Wpg. Film Group


Manitoba Teacher’s Society Video
Lead
E.A.P. Productions


Did Jesus Ever Laugh
Lead
Roman Buchuck, Director


Featured extra and Stand-in
Various Production Companies


Voice Over
Single Voice
MB is Going Green commercial


Number One West
Lead
pilot, Nosmanda Prod.


Voice Over
Single Voice
Election commercial


Radio

Pre 2000

Letter
Lead
C.B.C. Radio Drama


Household Blues
Lead
C.B.C. Radio Drama


The Highway is for Gamblers
Principal
C.B.C. Radio Drama


The Greening of Allison Warner
Actor
C.B.C. Radio Drama

Aerial Dance

Interview
Solo Silks
CityTV Canada’s Got Talent 2011


Sonata for solo violin
Solo Silks
Manitoba Culture Days Launch 2010


Sonata for solo violin
Solo Silks
Portage & District Arts fundraiser


Improv.
Solo Silks
Brandon Folk Festival 2010


Aerial Artistry
Solo Silks
Manitoba Showcase 2010


Ether 1
Solo Silks
Girls, Girls, Girls
Gas Station Theater 2009


Ether 1
Solo Silks
Element Sircus-Winter Solstice 2008


Dangerous
Solo Silks
Alana Levandoski Concert 2008


Violin Sonata
Solo Silks
Girls, Girls, Girls
Gas Station Theater 2008


Demons of the Mind
Solo Silks & Hoop
Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2008


Either 1
Solos Silks
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra 2008


I Believe
Solos Silks
CancerCare Gala 2007


Metamorphosis
Solos Silks
Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2007


Flying
Solos Silks
Shakespeare in the Ruins Gala 2007


Fire Song
Solos Silks
Monica’s Dance Gym Concert 2006


Modern Dance

Chiaroscuro
Solo
DVD by Edward Bernstein 2006


Der Holzweg
Duet / Jason Hillyard
DVD by William Pura 2003
Chorography by Brent Lott


Art Opening
Solo
Gallery 2002


Ancient Voices
Solo
Concert by Holly Harris 2000


Pre 2000

On New Ground
Solo
Groundswell New Music Concert


Nativity
Duet / Brent Lott
DeFehr Foundation Event


Song of the Earth
Solo
William Pura’s Sonic Circuits


People of Spirit
Solo
Wind and Fire Concert


Cheryl’s Song
Solo
P.D.S. Fundraising Gala


Behind the Mask
Solo
Winnipeg Fringe Festival


The Singer
Solo
River East M.B. Church

Choreographic Works
Modern Dance and Musical Theatre

Pre 2000

P.T.A.M. Testing Ground
Adam’s Eves


River East Collegiate
The Wiz. And the Beat Goes On


Kildonan East Collegiate
Dracula. A Lamp, A Rose and a Kiss


Glenlawn Collegiate
Grease. West Side Story, Chorus Line


Black Hole Theatre Co.
A Mouthful of Birds


Fort Richmond Collegiate
The Music Man


Active Word Productions
Natural High. The Journey


Tec Voc High School
Company III, IV, VIII-XII


Perpetuo Socoro, Puerto Rico
The King And I


Vincent Massey Collegiate
Lil’ Abner


University of Winnipeg
Peer Gynt. Of Musk and Maple

Training

Arts and Cultural Management
Certificate
University of Winnipeg


Bachelor of Education
Theatre Major
University of Manitoba


On the Margins
Solo
CAPPE National Conference


Bachelor of Arts
Theatre Major
University of Winnipeg


Dance
Jazz, Ballet, Modern
Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers


Aerial Dance
Silks, Trapeze
Rebecca Devi, High Strung – Toronto.
Cathy Gauch, Aircat Aerial Art – Colorado.
Liz Cooper, Monica’s Dance Gym – Winnipeg.


Voice
Grade 5
Royal Conservatory of Music


Selected Acting Master classes/workshops:
Carol Rosenfeld, John Hirsh, Candice Elzinga, Mort Ransen, Tibor Fehergyhazi, Rosemary Dunsmore, William B. Davis, Brenda Bazinet, Stuart Aikins, Matthew Harrison.

Selected Writing Workshops:
Writing for Radio – Ron Robinson (CBC)
Writing for Television – Dani Romain (This is Wonderland)
Playwrighting – Tomson Highway (Rez Sisters)
Dramaturgical Assistance – Vern Thiessen, Bruce McMannus, Jens Svane Boutrup

Languages

English, Spanish, German

Awards

Canadian Forces Artists Program
2010


Multi Arts Pilot Program Grant for Demons of the Mind, Manitoba Arts Council
2008


Developing/Emerging Playwrights Program Grant for Emilie and Voltaire, Manitoba Arts Council
2007


Travel/ Professional Development Program Grant Aerial Dance with Rebecca Devi – Toronto, Manitoba Arts Council
2007


Production Grant for Surprise, Surprise – TremblayFest, Manitoba Arts Council
2004


Best Actress, for the role of Joan, in What Will the Neighbours Say?, at the University of Winnipeg Film Festival
2006

Writing Credits (Publications)

Books

STAGES: Creative Ideas for Teaching Drama
Published by: J. Gordon Shillingford Publishing Inc. Now in its sixth printing and available throughout North America 2002




Plays

The Strawberry Monologue
published in Monologues for Women, by Women, edited by Tori Haring –Smith. Published by Heinemann. USA – 2006


Paul and Ruth
published in a/crosssections: NEW MANITOBA WRITING, by Manitoba Writers Guild – 2007


Delivery
published in Instant Applause volume II, by Blizzard Publishing, Winnipeg – 1996



Magazine Articles

Art on the Canvas – Manitoba Business
January/ February
2000


Deeper than Words – Sophia
Volume 10 – number 2
2000



Fiction

The Visit – Sophia
Volume 10 – number 1
2000


Emails to Sophia
Prairie Fire – Volume 10
2010


On Air Radio Journalism
First Person Singular – CBC Radio
2000



Writing Credits (Screenplays)

Intel
filmed by Z3 Productions – 2012
screened at:
The ACTRA Manitoba Film Festival – 2012


The Strawberry Confession
filmed by Z3 Productions – 2009
screened at:
The ACTRA Manitoba Film Festival – 2009
The Gimli Film Festival – 2009
Cinematheque Fringe Film Festival – 2009
The Manitoba Aboriginal Film Festival – 2010
NSI On-line Film Festival – 2010


Collections
filmed by Z3 Productions – 2007
screened at:
The ACTRA Manitoba Film Festival – 2008


I Dream of You
filmed by Z3 Productions – 2009
screened at:
The ACTRA Manitoba Film Festival – 2010


Aerial Artistry
filmed by Z3 Productions – 2010
A CODE commission of the Vancouver Olympic Games
screened at:
ACTRA Manitoba Film Festival – 2011

The Vancouver Olympic Games – 2010

Bell Mobility – 2010

Air Canada in-flight entertainment – 2010

UK – large screens throughout the country – 2010

Gimli Film Festival – 2010



Writing Credits (Plays)

Cry After Midnight
2012 Reading – Women Playwrights International Conference: Stockholm
2012 Reading – FemFest (Sarasvati Productions)


Queen of my Heart
2012 Produced by Theatre on TAP: RMTC’s ShawFesst


Ten O’clock
2012 Reading – FemFest (Sarasvati Productions)


Harriet Bosse
2011 Produced by Theatre on TAP: RMTC’s StrindbergFest


Mata Hari
2010 Produced by Theatre on TAP – WInnipeg Fringe Festival


Emilie and Voltaire
2008 Reading – FemFest (Sarasvati Prod.)


Demons of the Mind
2008 Produced by Theatre on TAP
Winnipeg Fringe Festival


Metamorphosis
2007 Produced by Theatre on TAP
Winnipeg Fringe Festival


The Ostrich Club
2007 produced by Dial M for Murder


Mother Of Mine
2006 – MAP readings, Playwright Colony


Strawberry Monologue
2005 published in Monologues for Women, by Women, edited by Tori Haring –Smith. Published by Heinemann. USA 2006 produced by Sarasvati Productions


CHEAP GOODS: an auction adventure
2004 produced by Theatre on TAP

Winnipeg Fringe Festival

2007 excerpt published in

Manitoba Writers’ Guild anthology


Bette Davis Eyes
2002 produced by Theatre on TAP

Winnipeg Fringe Festival


Confessions of an Art School Model
2001 produced by Theatre on TAP
2001 Winnipeg Fringe Festival
2002 Minnesota Fringe Festival
2002 New York City Fringe Festival – Juried
2003 Toronto Fringe Festival


Attraction and A Virgin
2000 produced by VENUS dot CALM.

Winnipeg Fringe Festival


Hillary
2000 Commissioned by C.B.C. radio


Three Old Biddies
2000


The Appointment
2000 MAP instant Playwrighting contest


Bathrooms
2000 Reading with MAP


Forever
2000 ‘One Night Stand’ Sarasvati series


Dances With Sheep
1999 produced by Dial M for Murder


Purple Petunia
1999


Violet
1997 produced by Hamm It Up Productions


Strawberry Jam
1997 produced by See Shore Productions


Don’t Answer that call
1997 produced by See Shore Productions


Delivery
1995 published in Instant Applause II
by Blizzard Publishing
1997 produced
by See Shore Productions


Transcona Heights
1993 produced by See Shore Productions,
Winnipeg Fringe Festival


Dracula
1992 produced by Kildonan East Collegiate
2005 produced by John Taylor Collegiate
2010 produced by Gulf Islands Secondary School


Love Me or Leave Me…
1990 produced by See Shore Productions


Just Don’t Slam the Door
Winnipeg Fringe Festival