Associate Professor
Theatre
905 688 5550 x5397
dwilson@brocku.ca
Originally from Vancouver, Danielle Wilson moved to Toronto to pursue her MFA in performance at York University. After completing her graduate degree, Danielle worked as an actor for over ten years in television and theatres across Canada and in the United States. In 2002, she received a Chalmers Training Grant to pursue the Graduate Diploma in Voice Teaching at York University under the mentorship of David Smukler. Upon completion, she began to work as a voice, acting and dialect coach both privately and at various acting studios in Toronto as well as teaching part-time at York University. In 2006, she moved to St. Catharines to take up her current position at Brock University where she teaches voice and performance and has directed several DART Mainstage productions.
She has presented her research at several national and international associations, including VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainer’s Association), the National Voice Association, which serves voice professionals across Canada, ATHE (Association for Theatre in Higher Education) and the Canadian Theatre Educator’s Conference in Toronto.
In 2008, she co-founded Stolen Theatre Collective, which produces both new and existing works and focusses on different theatrical styles melding music, voice, and movement in theatricalism. Their latest project is Wilson’s one-woman clown show, Stage Fright, which she has performed at The Hamilton Fringe, In the Soil Arts Festival, and in August 2024, she toured it to the Edmonton International Fringe Festival.
Her research focusses on creative practice as research and is informed by multiple forms of inquiry into histories, techniques, and practices that influence embodied expression.
CREATIVE AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES
Sabina’s Splendid Brain by Carol Sinclair, Actor/Producer/ Stolen Theatre Collective, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, St. Catharines, September, 2018.
Sabina’s Splendid Brain by Carol Sinclair, Actor/Producer/Researcher for the Luce Irigaraty Circle Symposium, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, Brock University, St. Catharines, June, 2018.
Top Girls by Caryl Churchill, stage director, Marilyn I. Walker Theatre, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, Brock University, St. Catharines, 2018
House by Daniel MacIvor, Stolen Theatre Collective, Director/Producer, The Robby Lower Theatre Hall, St. Catharines, 2017
Slaying the Monster of Stage Fright. Intermission Magazine (On-line publication). September 21, 2017.
The Ash Mouth Man, Co-Creator, Producer, Performer, Stolen Theatre Collective, In the Soil Arts Festival, St. Catharines, 2017.
Actor-centered rehearsals: giving freedom and voice to actors in the rehearsal room. Voice and Speech Review, volume 10, 2016. Published online February, 2017.
The Ash Mouth Man, Co-Creator, Producer, Performer, Stolen Theatre Collective, Marilyn I. Walker Theatre, St. Catharines, 2016.
Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)by Ann-Marie McDonald, stage director, Marilyn I. Walker Theatre,Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, Brock University, St. Catharines, 2016
The Dumb Waiter by Harold Pinter, stage director, Stolen Theatre Collective, The Courthouse Theatre, St. Catharines and In the Soil Festival. 2015.
VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainer’s Association) presentation: Breath, Embodiment and Memorization in the Rehearsal Process, Central School of Speech and Drama, London, England, 2014.
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, stage director, Sean O’Sullivan Theatre, Brock University, St. Catharines, 2013.
Lion in the Streets by Judith Thompson, stage director, Sean O’Sullivan Theatre, Brock University, St. Catharines, 2012.
The Diaries of Adam and Eve, Co-Director, Stolen Theatre Collective, St. Catharines, 2011.
Blood Relations by Sharon Pollock, stage director, Sean O’Sullivan Theatre, Brock University, St. Catharines, 2010.
Medea by Euripides, Voice and Acting Direction, in collaboration with Professor Natalie Alvarez, stage director, Sean O’Sullivan Theatre, Brock University, St. Catharines, 2009.
VOICE AND DIALECT COACHING
Shakespeare Coach
King Ubu, David Fancy, director. Marilyn I. Walker Theatre, Brock University.
Voice and Text Coach
Antigone, Michael Griffin, director. Marilyn I. Walker Theatre, Brock University.
Dialect Coach
The Wind in the Willows, Yellow Door Theatre Projects, Andorlie Hillstrom, director, Cairns Hall, First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, St. Catharines.
Dialect Coach
The Welland Canal Play, Essential Collective Theatre, Monica Dufault, director, Robertson Hall, First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, St. Catharines.
Vocal/Dialect Coach
Peter Pan, Yellow Door Theatre Project, Molly Atkinson, director, Cairns Recital Hall, First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, St. Catharines.
Vocal Coach
The Belle’s Stratagem (Hannah Cowley), Gyllian Raby, director, Sean O’Sullivan Theatre, Brock University
Dialect Coach
Shirley Valentine, Kelly Daniels, director, Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects, St. Catharines
Dialect Coach
The Woman in Black, Kelly Daniels, director, Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects, St. Catharines
Dialect Coach
To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee), Kelly Daniels, director, Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects, St. Catharines
Dialect and Voice Coach
Big Love (Charles Mee), Gyllian Raby, director, Sean O’Sullivan Theatre, Brock University
Dialect Coach
Beauty Queen of Leenane (McDonagh), Donna Belville, director, Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects, St. Catharines
Voice and Dialect Coach
Albertine in Five Times (Michel Tremblay), Kelly Daniels, director, Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects, St. Catharines
Dialect Coach to actress Rosemary Dunsmore
The Baby Formula, Alison Reid, director, Free Spirit Films, Toronto
Dialect Coach
Stones in his Pockets (Marie Jones), Geoffrey Whynot, director, The Globe Theatre, Regina
Dialect Coach
Thank You, Dian Marie Bridge, director, Fringe Festival, Toronto
STAGE ACTING WORK
Sabina’s Splendid Brain, Stolen Theatre Collective. Marilyn I. Walker Theatre, St. Catharines. (director: Gyllian Raby). September, 2018
The Ash Mouth Man. Stolen Theatre Collective. Marilyn I. Walker Theatre, St. Catharines. (director: Gyllian Raby). Re-mount at In the Soil Festival, April 2017.
The Ash Mouth Man. Stolen Theatre Collective. Marilyn I. Walker Theatre, St. Catharines. (director: Gyllian Raby). September, 2016.
That Ugly Mess in St. Catharines, DLT (DopoLavoro Teatrake), In the Soil Festival, St. Catharines. (director: Daniele Bartolini) April, 2016.
Wings of Wax, Essential Collective Theatre, ECT Wine and Reading, St. Catharines. (director: Monica Dufault) May, 2014.
Dearly Departed, Essential Collective Theatre, ECT Wine and Reading, St. Catharines. (director: Stephanie Jones) May, 2014. May, 2014.
Somnambulists in Love, Essential Collective Theatre/Suitcase in Point Co-production, In the Soil Festival, St. Catharines. (director: Gyllian Raby) May, 2013.
Problem Child: Denise, Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects, St. Catharines (director: Kelly Daniels) 2008.
The Power of the Dog: Ilona, Equity Showcase Theatre, Toronto (director: Christopher Brauer) 2004.
Wit: Susie, Magnus Theatre (director: Mario Crudo) 2002.
Marion Bridge: Theresa, Georgian Theatre Festival, Meaford (director: Christopher Brauer) 2001.
Company Cabaret: Ensemble, Georgian Theatre Festival, Meaford (director: Kevin Patterson) 2001.
Spinning in the Rain: Elena, Buddies in Bad Times, Toronto (director: Clinton Walker) 2001.
Our Country’s Good: Meg/Duckling, Tarragon Theatre, Toronto (director: Daryl Cloran) 2001.
Blood Relations: Miss Lizzie, Georgian Theatre Festival, Meaford (director: Ken Gass) 2000.
Artichoke: Lily Agnes, Georgian Theatre Festival, Meaford (director: Ken Gass) 2000.
Godspell: Ensemble, Georgian Theatre Festival, Meaford (director: Michael McGinn) 2000.
Waiting for the Parade: Marta, Georgian Theatre Festival, Meaford (director: Ken Gass) 1999.
Macbeth: Lady Macbeth, Repercussion Theatre, Montreal (director: Jack Langedijk) 1998.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Hermia, Repercussion Theatre, Montreal (director: Jack Langedijk) 1998.
A Christmas Carol: Mrs. Cratchit, Grand Theatre, London (director: Michael Shamata) 1998.
Faith, Hope and Charity: Magistrate’s Wife, Equity Showcase Theatre, Toronto (director: Dennis Garnhum) 1997.
Les Belles Soeurs: Ginette, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg (director: Kim McCaw) 1996.
Transit of Venus: Celeste, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg (director: Bertram Schneider) 1996.
Mr. A’s Amazing Maze Plays: Suzy, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg (director: Steven Schipper) 1995.
Our Country’s Good: Meg/Duckling, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg (director: Ann Hodges) 1995.
Romeo and Juliet: Juliet, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg (director: Mariam Bernstein) 1995.
Sleepers Awake!: Joey/Bobo, Bald Ego, Toronto (director: Adam Nashman) 1995.
Medea: Medea, Annex Theatre, Toronto, 1995.
2019 – Nomination for Artist in Education Award, St. Catharines Arts Awards
2019 – HRI award for A Glass of Wine with Noam Chomsky
2019 – Ontario Arts Council Theatre Recommenders Grant to assist development of A Glass of Wine with Noam Chomsky
2018 – Walker Cultural Leader: Facilitation of Fides Krucker to be a voice consultant on Sabina’s Splendid Brain, a public lecture/presentation and two workshops with students at the MIWSFPA, September.
2018 – Match of Minds Award for Sabina’s Splendid Brain
2017 – SCCIP grant to produce Sabina’s Splendid Brain, Stolen Theatre Collective
2017 – SCCIP grant to produce House, Stolen Theatre Collective
2017 – OAC Creator’s Reserve grant for re-mount of The Ash Mouth Man
2017 – Nomination for Established Artist Award, St. Catharines Arts Awards
2016 – Dean’s Travel Grant to attend ATHE conference: Chicago, Ill. Panel Paper Presentation
2016 – Walker Cultural Leader: Gyllian Raby and Danielle Wilson for The Ash Mouth Man
2016 – HRI Award: The Ash Mouth Man
2016 – Match of Minds Award for Ash Mouth Man
2015 – SCCIP Grant for Ash Mouth Man, Stolen Theatre Collective
2015 – OAC (Creator’s Reserve Grant) for a stage adaptation of Emma Zunz
2015 – Niagara Cultural Investment Program to produce The Dumb Waiter
2015 – ORS (Ontario Research Services) Match of Minds Student Ventures Program: The Dumb Waiter
2014 – HRI Grant for creative research, Harold Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter
2014 – SCCIP Grant for Harold Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter, Stolen Theatre Collective
2012 – Nomination for Clarke Thomson Award for Excellence in Teaching at Brock University
2004 – Theatre Ontario Training Grant: Training grant for Apprenticeship at the Stratford Festival of Canada
2003 – Cupe II Research Grant, York University: Travel grant to attend Canadian National Voice Intensive and present paper on the anatomy and physiology of the vocal apparatus
2002 – Chalmers Training Grant. Professional training grant to pursue Graduate Diploma in Voice Teaching at York University
Co-Artistic Director of Stolen Theatre Collective, St. Catharines
www.stolentheatrecollective.ca
MEMBERSHIPS
- VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association)
- Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
- ACTRA
FREQUENTLY ATTENDED CONFERENCES
- Canadian Theatre Educator’s Conference, Presenter: “Voice and Acting: How can we bridge the gap?” Artscape Youngplace, Toronto, July 2018.
- Luce Irigiray Circle: Producer and Actor in Sabina’s Splendid Brain, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, St. Catharines, June 2018.
- ATHE conference (Association for Theatre in Higher Education): Panel Presenter, Chicago. “Working Hard at Letting Go: Exploring the use of conscious spontaneity in performance”. August, 2016.
- Director’s Lab North: Presentation and workshop on the Directing Process. June, 2015.
- VASTA Conference (Voice and Speech Trainer’s Association): Presentation: “Breath, Embodiment and Memorization in the Rehearsal Process”, London, England, August, 2014.
- VASTA Conference: Washington DC, August, 2012.
- CODE Conference (Council of Ontario and Dance Educators): Workshop for high school teachers on teaching Shakespeare, Collingwood, Ontario. May, 2008.