News: Rose wins CC's Walter Carsen Prize

Tarragon Press Release:

TARRAGON THEATRE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, RICHARD ROSE

WINS PRESTIGIOUS WALTER CARSEN PRIZE

Canada Council for the Arts annual prize recognizes

distinguished achievement in the performing arts.

TORONTO, August 24, 2011 – Tarragon Theatre is very proud to announce Mr. Richard Rose, Artistic Director of Tarragon Theatre is winner of the 2011 Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts. The $50,000 prize was presented by the Canada Council for the Arts in recognition of Richard Rose’s directorial vision and notable career in Canadian theatre.

“It is an honour to receive the Walter Carsen Prize—not for just one play, but for a body of work over time.” says Richard Rose. “It gives courage and encouragement to continue my work as an artist in exploring the human condition, at a time when artists do not always feel encouraged—or rewarded—to pursue their craft. ”

Richard Rose was selected for this important prize by the Canada Council assessment committee, consisting of Mallory Gilbert, a leader in Toronto arts management and advocacy, Howard Jang, an accomplished musician and Executive Director of Arts Club Theatre Company in Vancouver, and Québécoise theatre director, Albert Millaire.  Rose states, “To be recognized, particularly by my peers in the artistic community, is an important tribute.” Richard Rose says he is honoured to be in the esteemed company of past Walter Carsen winners, including John Murrell and Judith Thompson.

“Over the course of his career, Richard’s commitment both to his art and to his community has been astonishing,” explains Tarragon Theatre General Manager, Camilla Holland. “He is a visionary artist; Richard works tirelessly, not only in pursuit of his own artistic goals, but for the success of his profession and discipline as a whole.”  Holland has collaborated closely with Rose for the past six years, “Richard is fearlessly driven, intelligent and articulate, with a firm finger on the pulse of the Canadian cultural scene.”

Rose began his directing career in 1978. Rose directed the internationally successful Canadian plays Tamara and Mein (Necessary Angel), both Dora-award winners. Rose has also brought his innovative style to plays written by American and European authors, including Humble Boy (Tarragon), The Castle (Necessary Angel), Betrayal (Theatre Calgary) and Seven Lears (Necessary Angel). Rose is currently directing Sarah Ruhl’s In the Next Room or the vibrator play, nominated for both the 2010 Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award.

Richard Rose became Artistic Director of Tarragon Theatre in 2002, and prior to that was the founding Artistic Director of Necessary Angel Theatre Company. In addition, Rose has numerous directing credits across Canada, including Director of the Young Company at Stratford, where he initiated the John Sullivan Hayes Training Program, as well as in the United States and London’s West End.