Anna Chatterton is a librettist, playwright and performer based in Hamilton, Ontario. Her plays and operas have played on stages nationally and internationally. She is a two-time Governor General’s Literary Award nominee for Drama.
Anna creates work that puts women front and centre, delving into women’s societal roles, constraints, secrets and obsessions, both historically and contemporarily. She is interested in the juxtaposition of high comedy and dark tragedy. Absurdist humour is laced through her work, a reflection of the ridiculous in human nature and society. Anna has also fostered an interminable obsession with heightened or poetic language and style. Working across cultures and disciplines has long been her interest, and she is involved in many collaborative projects. Anna teaches performance and writing classes at McMaster University.
AWARDS
LA Independent Women Film Awards. ‘Best Narrative Feature’, for Sweat, 2023
Hamilton Fringe Festival, National Force of Impact Award in Theatre, 2020
Hamilton Literary Awards Finalist, Fiction, 2019 for Quiver
Governor General’s Literary Award Finalist, Drama, 2018 for Gertrude and Alice
Juno Award for Classical Composition Finalist, 2018 for Breathe, text
Governor General’s Literary Award Finalist, Drama, 2017 for Within the Glass
Named Top Ten Toronto Theatre Artist of 2016 (NOW Magazine)
City of Hamilton Arts Award, Theatre, 2017
Outstanding Production of New Opera, Dora Mavor Moore Award, 2018 for Rocking Horse Winner
Outstanding New Musical/Opera, Dora Mavor Moore Awards Finalist, 2018 for Rocking Horse Winner
Best Supporting Actress Award, Toronto Theatre Critics Award, 2017 for role of Alice in Gertrude and Alice
Outstanding New Play, Dora Mavor Moore Award Finalist, 2016 for Gertrude and Alice
Outstanding New Musical/Opera, Dora Mavor Moore Awards Finalist, 2008 for Stitch
SummerWorks Festival, Best New Play Award, 2003 for Clean Irene and Dirty Maxine
RESIDENCIES:
CoWork Cotton Factory, 2022
McMaster LiveLab (with Double Pendulum), 2017-2019
Theatre Aquarius, (with Industry) 2018-2019
Nightwood Theatre, 2015-2019
Tarragon Theatre, 2011-2017.
National Theatre School of Canada, 2015
Tapestry Opera, 2012-2013
Banff Playwrights Colony, 2011
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, (with Independent Aunties), 2011-2016
Theatre Centre (with Independent Aunties) 2006-2008
TEACHING/LECTURE
Prof at McMaster University, School of the Arts, 2021-present
Prof at Sheridan College, Creative Writing and Publishing Program, 2021 and 2022
Prof at Humber College, Theatre Program, 2020-2023
Guest lecturer, York University, English Department, 2020 and 2021
Workshop Leader, Playwrights Guild of Canada/Expect Theatre, 2019 and 2020
Praxis workshop: Canadian Association for Theatre Research Conference, Kingston, ONT. 2018, “Contemporary Language in an Ancient Art-Form: Writing the Modern Libretto.”
Workshop Leader, Libretto writing, Soulpepper Theatre, 2014
Program Director of the Write from the Hip Program at Nightwood Theatre, 2007-2011