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News Release

July 05, 2005

Prof Earns Awards for Theatre, Literature

A University of Guelph drama professor has been honoured for his contribution to the arts with two prestigious awards.

Sky Gilbert, a playwright, poet, director and author was presented with the Silver Ticket Award by the Toronto Theatre Alliance at the 26th annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards held recently in Toronto. The award recognizes an individual who has excelled in their own career while also nurturing the development of Canadian theatre.

“It means a lot to me to be recognized, since I ran Buddies in Bad Times Theatre for 17 years, put on 34 of my own plays, spent hours watching other people’s work and served as a mentor,” said Gilbert, of the School of English and Theatre Studies.

Past Silver Ticket Award winners include David Mirvish, Tomson Highway and George Luscombe, for whom the U of G theatre is named.

This is Gilbert’s third Dora Mavor Moore Award. In 1990, he won a playwriting award for The Whore’s Revenge and, in 1992, he won a production award for Suzie Goo: Private Secretary.

Gilbert was also honoured in late June with a ReLit Award for his fourth novel An English Gentleman.

Established five years ago with a mandate to celebrate books published by independent and literary Canadian presses, ReLit awards are given for best fiction, poetry and non-fiction. Winners received their awards at beach parties that occur simultaneously in British Columbia and Newfoundland, and are honoured with uniquely crafted rings that boast four moveable spheres, with the alphabet carved into each one.

“This is very special because it’s an artistic award for my writing, for my recent work and the award itself stands for something. It’s an alternative to the Giller Prize, an alternative to money and cocktail parties; it’s about literature,” Gilbert said.

Jacqueline Murray, dean of the College of Arts, said Gilbert brings a breadth of creativity and a wealth of experience to U of G. “We are thrilled his many talents and contributions to the arts have been recognized by two such prestigious awards," said Murray.