Jim Garrard

Born in Englehart, Ontario, Jim is a graduate of Toronto Teachers’ College, Queen’s University at Kingston, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), Rochdale College and Canadian Film Centre. He has served as Artist-In-Residence at University of Toronto, Simon Fraser University, Montreal’s Centaur Theatre and Rochdale College. Also, Chair of Video Caberet International, Chair of Canada Council Explorations Jury, founding artistic director of Theatre Passe Muraille and SALON Theatre, artistic director of Kingston Summer Festival at The grand Theatre. Jim was Theatre and Dance Consultant for the Province of Ontario, Executive Director of Toronto Arts Council, and Marketing Director for Kingston Summer Festival. As an actor, Jim has appeared at Tarragon Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille and the legendary Theatre Second Floor. He has directed at Theatre Passe Muraille, 25th Street House Theatre in Saskatoon, Bristol Old Vic, the Grand Theatre, University of Ottawa and for Salon Theatre. Jim is best known as a playwright. His Bondage Plays for My Country include DEAD HEAT, GETTING EVEN, COLD COMFORT, SPENCER’S MOM and BIG TICKET. Other plays include PEGGY’S SONG, FOURTEEN, SIR JOHN, EH? (with Grant Heckman) and DEEP WATER DREAMS--a play about the life of Florence Nightingale. Norstar Entertainment’s feature film, ‘Cold Comfort’, was based on Jim’s play. He wrote and directed the short film, ‘Touch My Lips’, which has played at festivals around the world. Jim is a member of WGC and Playwrights Union of Canada. He is a recipient of numerous Canada Council Awards and received a Harold Award in 2003.