Welcome reception for Louise Wallwein, the new Writer-in-Residence
This poet, playwright and filmmaker pushes boundaries -- and buttons
The University of Manitoba’s Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture (CCWOC) is pleased to announce the arrival of Louise Wallwein, its new Writer-in-Residence. Wallwein will hold the position into early April 2014.
A welcome reception is being held for her Friday, Jan. 17 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. in The Great Hall (Room 218) of University College.
Of her new post, Wallwein says, “I am utterly honored and delighted to be Writer-in-Residence at the Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture.”
A storyteller, writer, actor, director and producer, Wallwein will visit classes, mentor local writers and other creators, give workshops and contribute to the Centre’s blog.
Wallwein says she writes stories “intended to detonate the imaginations of my audience,” and has a reputation as an “explosive artist.”
Her work has been performed all over the Britain and around the world; she was Poet in Residence of Queensland in 2006.
She explains: “My characters exist in the margins of society, and as a poet I have a unique way of telling drama.”
As examples of her innovation, Wallwein’s 1998 work Low Flying Aircraft, a one-woman show commissioned by the Manchester Poetry Festival, was performed on the wing of an aircraft, while her 2006 work Skid 180 was an epic play featuring BMX, poetry and film performed at the Sydney Opera House.
“I intend to go hunting for stories and characters in Winnipeg’s underbelly and secret corners then create a play each week, inspired by this beautiful and interesting place,” she says. “I am keen to create pop-up text-based installations around the university and city, inspired by its unique environment and cultures. We all have a story and I’m looking forward to listening to what Winnipeg has to tell me and teach me.”
“We are very lucky to have such a cutting-edge writer as Louise Wallwein with us this term,” says Warren Cariou, director of CCWOC. “Her work is highly innovative, crossing boundaries and empowering her audiences to think differently about our world.”
During her time at the CCWOC, Wallwein will conduct a non-credit creative writing workshop and will be available for one-on-one consultation with aspiring poets, playwrights and fiction writers. Contact the CCWOC website for more details or to book an appointment for a consultation.
The Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture was created to provide a space for scholars, students and visiting artists to collaborate, create works of verbal art and study the relationship between oral and written culture.