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)
President of the board of Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers
President of the Manitoba Branch Council of ACTRA and
(acting) National Councilor for ACTRA Manitoba.

Theater Roles Member of EQUITY

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.

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

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

On the Margins
Solo
CAPPE National Conference 2006

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 Passionate Minds, 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)

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 Game
screened at:
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)

Passionate Minds
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

Collections
2007 Screenplay for short film Produced by Z3 Productions

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