Penny Plain
Created and Performed by Ronnie Burkett
Ronnie Burkett - Creator/Performer
Ronnie Burkett has been captivated by puppetry since the age of seven, when he opened the World Book Encyclopedia to “Puppets”. He began touring his puppet shows around Alberta at the age of fourteen and has been on the road ever since.
Recognized as one of Canada’s foremost theatre artists, Ronnie Burkett has been credited with creating some of the world’s most elaborate and provocative puppetry. Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes was formed in 1986 and has stimulated an unprecedented adult audience for puppet theatre, continuously playing to great critical and public acclaim on Canada’s major stages, and as a guest company on numerous international tours abroad.
Ronnie has received numerous awards in the Canadian theatre as a playwright, actor and designer for his work with Theatre of Marionettes, including the 2009 Siminovitch Prize in Theatre, and international recognition including a Village Voice OBIE Award in New York for Off-Broadway Theatre, and four Citations of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry from the American Center of the Union Internationale de la Marionnette. Penny Plain is the twelfth production from Theatre of Marionettes, following the international successes Billy Twinkle, 10 Days on Earth, Provenance and the “Memory Dress Trilogy” of Tinka’s New Dress, Street of Blood and Happy.
This 2011/12 season marks the 25th anniversary of Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes.
John Alcorn - Composer
John Alcorn is a composer, arranger, musical director, producer, pianist and one of Canada’s premier jazz vocalists. He has made significant contributions to numerous theatrical productions, including Theresa Tova’s Still the Night, for which he earned a Dora Mavor Moore Award. He is also a recipient of the Jazz Report Award for Best Male Vocals. Penny Plain is his second full collaboration with Ronnie Burkett, following on the heels of the recent Billy Twinkle – Requiem for a Golden Boy.
Kevin Humphrey - Lighting Design
Kevin has always been fascinated by luminous objects so no one was surprised when he became interested in stage lighting at an early age. After spending years working with most of the professional theatre companies in Edmonton he began touring with Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes in 2003 as their Director of Lighting. In 2008 he designed the lights for the Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes show Billy Twinkle: Requiem for a Golden Boy. When not on the road Kevin can often be found working at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium where he is the Principal House Lighting Technician. In his spare time he enjoys sunshine, patios and bacon.
Crystal Salverda - Stage Manager
Crystal is thrilled to be a part of the Ronnie Burkett team. Over the last few years she has had the opportunity to work locally as well as tour, both nationally and internationally, stage managing some wonderful productions such as Half Life (Necessary Angel), Under Milkwood (Soulpepper Theatre), Raisin in the Sun (Soulpepper Theatre/Theatre Calgary), Hamlet (Necessary Angel), This is What Happens Next (Necessary Angel/Canadian Stage), Civil Elegies (Soulpepper Theatre), Tuesday’s with Morrie (Harold Green Jewish Theatre), Of the Field’s Lately (Soulpepper Theatre), Billy Bishop (Soulpepper Theatre), Divisadero (Necessary Angel), Are you Ok (Necessary Angel/Peggy Baker Dance Projects), Zero Hour (Harold Green Jewish Theatre), and Andromache (Necessary Angel) to name a few.