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Winn Bray

WINN BRAY

  
Nationality:    Canadian
email:    Click here to contact     Website:    n/a

Literary Agent:    n/a

Winn Bray has been a professional playwright for more than three decades and maintains a strong commitment to quality work for all audiences - in particular, Historical Drama and Theatre in Education. Focusing on bringing history to life she has had more than seventeen works produced including JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME, THE REMITTANCE MAN, ALBERTA ROSE, NOBODY'S CHILDREN, RANCHERS AND RAILS, BETTY BYLIORSKI FINDS A HOME and THAT MEN MAY FLY. All of these works are dramatizations derived from actual historical accounts, narratives and personal experiences which take unique pieces of Canadian history from page to stage. Recipient of the Excellence in the Arts Award (Hamilton Wentworth Creative Arts), her work has been supported by the Ontario Arts Council, Carousel Players (St. Catharines), Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Heritage Park and BMO Financial Group, Quest Theatre, Lunchbox Theatre, Mount Royal College, Alberta Playwrights' Network, DuFort Enterprises, Theatre South NSW, the Citadel New Play Development Program and the private sector. For information and rights to produce contact winn.rathbun@gmail.com

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below is a list of Winn Bray's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

         Alberta Rose         Bach Conspiracy, The         Evangeline         J S Bach In the Schools         Johann And the King         Journey of a Lifetime         Nobody's Children         Ranchers And Rails         Remittance Man, The         Rumplestiltskin         Scaramouche         Tales of the Four Seasons         That Men May Fly
Alberta Rose

Synopsis:
Filled with music, humour and pioneer inspiration, aLBeRTa ROSe is a show which tells the stories of albertan homesteaders and ranchers. anna Bruce and her family s journey by prairie schooner to Donalda; the first Canadian Chautauqua in Gleichen; stories of homesteaders and ranchers from Nanton to Fort McMurray, who carved out a future in the west. these characters come to life to connect you with your own Western Heritage.

Notes:
Music b y Phillip Fournier

1st Produced:
Mount Royal College Department Of Theatre And Speech     2002

Organisations:
Commissioned by Mount Royal College and alberta Foundation for the Arts

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Drama/Comedy/with music One act

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Bach Conspiracy, The

Synopsis:
Andreas is a devoted, young student of Johann Sebastian Bach at the school at arnstadt. Talented and loyal with the voice of an angel, he has only one secret which he guards from his Mentor as well as the rest of the school. He s a she. With strict rules against girls studying music at arnstadt, Bach is in danger of having his career toppled by his jealous and mean spirited rival, Werner, should the secret ever be discovered. a play in two parts, the BaCH CONSPIRaCY includes selections of Bach s Minuet in G Major, Goldberg Variation 27, Prelude 1 and Cantata 147 Jesu, Joy of Man s Desiring. Andreas/Andrea sings a solo with original lyrics by Winn Bray set to the melody of Siciliano from Sonata in e flat.

Notes:
Music by Johann Sebastian Bach

1st Produced:
Part One: Regional Alberta Tour. Part Two: Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, Ab     2001

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Drama/Comedy One act

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Evangeline

Synopsis:
Evangeline by Bray and Doyle is an emotionally stirring musical which tells the story of exceptional love between the Acadian star crossed lovers, Evangeline and Gabriel. It is story of the extraordinary courage of an entire people; of love against all odds and of the strength of the human spirit. Inspired by the Acadian folk tale this musical is not the re-telling of Longfellow's poem but rather a new telling of the story of survival; of endurance, courage, faith and great love. Beautiful and bittersweet and set to the incredible music of award winning composer Tom Doyle, Evangeline by Bray and Doyle will make your spirits soar.

Notes:
Music by Tom Doyle. First staging by Mount Royal College, Calgary AB 1999 with professional reading at Citadel Theatre, Edmonton, AB 2003

1st Produced:
Mount Royal College, Calgary, AB     1999

Organisations:
Mount Royal College, Calgary, AB

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
2 act Musical

Parts:
Male:  11            Female:  6            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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J S Bach In the Schools

Synopsis:
the story of Johann Sebastian Bach as related by the Capellmeister himself, the play reveals the man as well as the master, with all of his human strengths and failings. the play is told in two parts. the first is J.S. Bach, an intimate one man show designed to include an informal presentation on the workings of the pipe organ.For part two see Johann and the King by Winn Bray.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Part One: Calgary Region School Tour     1998

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Solo, 35 min

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Johann And the King

Synopsis:
a four hander which expands upon the stories already introduced in the one man show, J. S. Bach. the music of Bach plays an integral role as we are learn of his childhood, his years of study, his wife and children as well as his rivals

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, Ab     1998

Organisations:
Calgary International Organ Festival

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Drama/Comedy One act

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Journey of a Lifetime

Synopsis:
It is often said that in order to mould our future we must first understand our past. Nowhere could that be more evident than in Canada. In the long history of this land there are thousands of stories to tell. These are just a few. In 2017, as we marked the 150th anniversary of Canadas Confederation we looked to celebrate those who helped to create this great land. From as far away as Ukraine, France, Britain, and Asia they took a leap of faith as they came to cultivate and settle a vast unknown. All characters are drawn from personal accounts and letters of the time. This is the story of a few courageous and hopeful immigrants who arrived at Pier Twenty One, Halifax in 1910 and crossed Canada, crowded together for days on end in a spartan Colonist train. Apprehension, excitement and suspicion travel with Yosyp Lebedovich, the Cousineaus and Nellie Cole as they face the challenges and rewards of following a dream. The play unravels the mystery of Rupert Black and the curiosity of Tom Lee. Celebrate the diversity and stubborn resolve of all who came to carve this mosaic which Canadians call home. For them it truly was a Journey of a Lifetime.

Notes:
JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME was presented by BMO Financial and produced by Quest Theatre and Heritage Park, Calgary, Alberta as part of Canadas Sesquicentennial Celebrations. It opened in Calgary on Canada Day July 1, 2017 and subsequently toured from Halifax NS to Vancouver BC from September to November 2017. Original theme song by composer Phillip Fournier, lyrics by Winn Bray. French translation available. Running time: 55 minutes.

1st Produced:
Heritage Park National Tour, Calgary     01 Jul 2017

Organisations:
Heritage Park, Quest Theatre, BMO Financial

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
One Act Historical Fiction

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Nobody's Children

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
Music by Dan VanWyck

1st Produced:
Mount Royal College Department Of Theatre And Speech     2003

Organisations:
Calgary Region School Tour

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Drama/Comedy One act

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Ranchers And Rails

Synopsis:
after five generations of struggle and success can Sam keep the family ranch afloat in these most difficult of times? Or is his sister, Veronica, right about giving up and selling it all off? For Sam and Veronica the answers to their future may lay in the heritage of their past. Winn Bray's Ranchers and Rails, explores the life of albertan Ranchers, past and present; their determination, resilience and stubborn struggle from the first free range cattle ranches to the advent of the CPRail to the new challenges of the 21st century.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Mount Royal College Department Of Theatre And Speech     2005

Organisations:
Calgary Region School Tour

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Drama/Comedy One act

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Remittance Man, The

Synopsis:
The Remittance Man opens a rarely told chapter in pre-1914 Canadian history. For the adventuresome, the scoundrel or the second son of British families a life in the Canadian West was often the answer to an otherwise unfulfilled life. Some came to party, play polo and live off their Remittance cheques from home. Others, like Percy Greene, came to learn ranching, own their own land and work toward building their futures. Many were completely unprepared for what this adventure held for them. Often the victim of his own pride the Remittance Man could be a constant source of entertainment for the Canadian cowboy. Based on the true stories of these young men, The Remittance Man is filled with music, humour and insight; a rare look at our past from a different point of view; that of the Remittance Man himself.

Notes:
original music by Phillip Fournier

1st Produced:
Theatre Mrc Calgary School Tours     2007

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Drama/Comedy One act

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Rumplestiltskin

Synopsis:
an unconventional re-telling of the Brothers Grimm tale, this Rockin Rumplestiltskin wants a child of his own to mentor in the ways of magic. Young Prince Glen, bolstered by his best friend and Jester, Clyde, struggles with his own sense of inadequacies in an attempt to court the beautiful Emma and prove to his father, the King, that he is worthy of being Royal. and the King who has one love, money, shares the Secret of My Sweet Success in a fun loving song and dance reminiscent of Vaudeville. With the music of Tom Doyle, this Rumplestiltskin is a toe tapper with a surprise twist ending.

Notes:
Music by Tom Doyle

1st Produced:
Mrc Shakespeare In The Park, Calgary     1993

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical One act

Parts:
Male:  8            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Scaramouche

Synopsis:
From the murder of one innocent young seminarist to full blown bloody revolution in the streets of Paris, SCaRaMOUCHe is a swashbuckling tale of romance, revenge and political upheaval. adapted from Raphael Sabatini s 1921 novel, this play resonates with uncanny parallels of the modern political climate. and what of these special men of privilege? they set themselves apart from responsibility, these self-proclaimed. they answer to no one for they believe themselves to be above the laws of God and answering to no man. and if those inalienable rights be challenged how do they answer? By changing the law. People of Rennes, where is your Constitution? It bubbles in the melting pot of power, rancid with their schemes and private agendas.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Wright Theatre, Calgary Ab     1990

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Drama, 2acts

Parts:
Male:  10            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Tales of the Four Seasons

Synopsis:
Written for young audiences, Tales of the Four Seasons visits each North American season in turn, offering original tales and songs which explain some of the beautiful curiosities of our world. The first lesson in trust is in winter when we learn why the Groundhog looks for its shadow? Spring is an uplifting and fun visit to the blossom tree where we meet Bird, Bee and Caterpillar and share their lessons in co-existence and re-birth. Summer belongs to Samantha Salmon whose innate curiosity leads her deeper and deeper into dangerous life lessons when all she really wants to know is `Why?' And in Autumn, the mystery of trick or treat is revealed, complete with childhood abandon, a trusting and unusual friendship and, of course, a witch! Tales of the Four Seasons has been warmly received by audiences of all ages as a refreshing new kind of `Just So' story. Appropriate for ages 6 and up.

Notes:
Written for 3 actors in a total of 15 roles but can be produced with a larger cast is so desired. Original music by Tom Doyle. Original lyrics by Winn Bray

1st Produced:
Ontario tour - Carousel Players, St. Catharines, ON     1974

Organisations:
Carousel Players, St. Catharines, ON

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Theatre for Young Audiences 55 min

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  10            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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That Men May Fly

Synopsis:
Set against the energetic, revolutionary and romantic music of the 40's, the characters you meet in THAT MEN MAY FLY represent an entire generation of young people who stepped up without reservation to meet the challenge. The play is set in 1943 at the No.7 Special Flight Training School that operated in Fort Macleod, Alberta during WWII. The story revolves around the relationships of four people. Airwoman Kit Mackie is the no nonsense, down to brass tacks Avro Engine Mechanic who takes her job very seriously. Jack Dunmore is a cocky Canadian pilot with a wicked sense of humour and lack of respect for rules. Neville Shannon is a young British trainee who survived the Blitz in London and fights his own demons. Tommy, the piano player at the Queen's Hotel is a WWI veteran; warm, friendly and always willing to lend an ear. This is a story of friendship, sacrifice and courage in the face of war. Romance, comedy, high drama, triumph and heartache are woven throughout the play to present the portrait of a time like none other.

Notes:
THAT MEN MAY FLY was originally commissioned by the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod, AB in celebration of their Centennial year. The following year in was invited to be part of the 2013 Suncor Energy Stage One Festival and then produced by Lunchbox Theatre (Calgary) for their 2013/14 Regular Season.

1st Produced:
The Empress Theatre. Fort Macleod, AB     28 Jul 2012

Organisations:
Lunch Box Theatre, Calgary, AB

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
One Act Musical

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  1            Other:  Pianist

Further Reference:
-

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