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University of British Columbia
1822 E Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Re: Bonnie Gratz
May 25, 2012
Dear Sir or Madame;
My name is Ellen Chorley and I am an Edmonton based playwright, producer and actor. It is my
absolute pleasure to write a letter of support for Bonnie Gratz.
I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Bonnie Gratz in a number of ways on many
different theatrical projects.
Bonnie first hired me to take over a role in a tour to Calgary and area high schools of her original
play “A Most Dangerous Game”- a cutting edge play about the dangerous and public online
internet world. Not only was Bonnie the playwright on this project, through her independent TYA
company Centre Stage, she was also the director, costume designer, tour co-ordinator and
producer. Even from the first day of rehearsal, I could tell that Bonnie displayed the passion and
tenacity to take projects from imagination to reality.
After working on “A Most Dangerous Game,” Bonnie brought me on board for two very unique
projects- acting in a production of “Tales of A Fourth Grade Nothing” and collaborating with three
other playwrights to create the world premiere of a new play called “Mixed Up”- a chilling take on
teen violence. I was both a playwright and an actor on this incredible project.
As producer of “Mixed Up”- Bonnie assembled four playwrights (herself being one of them) with
four very unique voices to provide a real, but non-judgemental snapshot of teen violence in
Calgary. The four playwrights researched, riffed on ideas, chose diverse characters and then
wrote and passed around working drafts of the play. The process was extremely collaborative
and ensured that the play was the best it could be.
I am very proud to call Bonnie a colleague. Should you require any other information about
Bonnie Gratz, please feel free to contact me at (780) 906-2365 or e-mail
[email protected].
Best,
ELLEN CHORLEY
Artistic Director, Promise Productions
Festival Producer, The Snow Globe Festival of Children’s Theatre
(780) 906-2365
[email protected]
www.promiseproductionstheatre.com