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The Siminovitch Prize in Theatre 2003
Louise Campeau, Winner of the Prize for Design, 2003
Montréal
designer Louise Campeau was named the 2003 winner of the Elinor & Lou
Siminovitch Prize in Theatre, on October 28, 2003.
 In awarding Ms.
Campeau this honour, the Jury expressed admiration for her designs
which, according to the Jury citation, "possess a coherent,
refined and subtle vision. She has a strong sense of visual artistry
beyond the normal. She is truly a collaborative artist. This collaboration
fully
respects the expression of the actor, and gives lighting, costume
and sound designers an enriched opportunity to allow their work
to "perform" in
harmony. Ms. Campeau is an extraordinary theatre artist whose work
provides a unique sense of play and is unparalleled in its dedication
to the service
of the play. Her work allows audiences to see and hear more clearly,
engaging them in a better understanding of the production. "
A graduate
of the National Theatre School of Canada in 1984, Louise Campeau
has designed approximately 60 productions for 14 different
companies in Quebec -- from the large institutional theatres to
the smallest experimental
spaces.
Ms. Campeau has worked with the renowned directors Serge
Denoncourt, François Barbeau, Luce Pelletier, Gilles Provost, Pierre
Bernard, Daniel Brière and many others. She has worked at Théâtre
de L'Ile, Théâtre de l'Opsis, Théâtre de Quat'Sous,
Compagnie Jean-Duceppe, Théâtre d'Aujourd'hui. Espace Go, Théâtre
Denise Pelletier and Th èâtre du Rideau Vert.
The jury was chaired
by Leonard McHardy, co-owner and co-founder of Theatrebooks in
Toronto. The members of the jury were Quebec
director and actor Martine Beaulne; Denise Clarke, Associate Artist
with Calgary's
One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre; New Brunswick-born set and
costume designer Michael Eagan; and Dr. Natalie
Rewa, a recognised
authority of
theatre design in Canada. "The Siminovitch nominations represented
the best work from many of the finest designers working in Canadian
theatre. The jury was deeply impressed by the fact that many of Canada's
senior theatre
artists made such eloquent and passionate nominations on behalf
of their younger colleagues," said Mr. McHardy.
As a condition of the Prize, the honoured artist designates one-quarter
of the Prize amount ($25,000) to a protégé of his
or her choice who is involved in professional direction, playwriting
or design in Canadian theatre, or to an institution (theatre or
education facility) that contributes to Canadian theatre. The prize
founders have structured the prize in this way to underscore their
profound belief in the importance of mentorship. Ms. Campeau has
chosen two protégés - Magalie Amyot and Michèle
Magnon.
Since graduating from the National Theatre School in 1997,
set designer Magalie Amyot has worked with director Éric
Jean on several projects, including the set designs for recent
productions
of Pascal Brullemans' Hippocampe at Théâtre de Quat'Sous
and Larry Tremblay's Cornemuse at Théâtre d'Aujourd'Hui.
On graduating from the Cégep de St-Hyacinthe theatre school
in 2002, Michèle Magnan joined the props team for the film
The Day After Tomorrow directed by Roland Emmerich and worked
with director Serge Denoncourt on Michel Tremblay's Les
Belles Soeurs and Marc Drouin's Pied de Poule.
On hand for the ceremony
was Dr. Lou Siminovitch, one of Canada's outstanding scientists.
The prize was named after Dr. Siminovitch
and his late wife, Elinore, whose determination, dedication to
excellence, and belief in mentorship, are embodied in the award.
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