Liesl Lafferty
Jessie Award Winning Director – Dramaturg – Playwright – CAEA – LMDA – PGC
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

TESTIMONALS

Playwright Testimonials

“She’s the best friend, who never gets tired of talking about your script.”
                                    Jenn Griffin, Playwright and Actor

“Liesl is a master at managing time, talent, temperament and vision. She was able to see my concept through from birth to production without letting outside influences impose on my process as a writer. She also was able to guide me through the mire when my own insecurities muddied my journey from script to stage. Her artistic guidance was met and matched by her technical research and development capabilities. A gift like that is rare and most appreciated.”
Columpa C. Bobb, Aboriginal Arts Training and Mentorship Program

 “Another highlight was Liesl's clear and supportive manner of communicating with the playwrights.  She came across as helpful, generous, and extremely intelligent.  She didn't shy away from criticizing us, but at the same time wholeheartedly supported the ideas of our plays and our efforts.  I would endorse her as a dramaturge for any playwright's event.”
                                    Kent Suss, Playwright Manitoba Theatre for Young People

Actor Testimonials

“I was a frustrated artist when I met Liesl and she kicked my ass into gear, when nothing was happening for me. We became fast friends and successful collaborators. Our first was one of Vancouver Sun’s top ten shows of the year and our second collaboration was nominated for the Jessie Richardson Outstanding Original Play. Now, I’m a TV regular on ReGenesis and have film credits working with Harrison Ford, Robin Williams and Bruce Willis. Yet, I still found myself excited to work with Liesl’s gentle, clear and demanding vision again on Blind Submission this past winter in Toronto.”
                                    Dmitry Chepovetsky, Actor and Playwright

"Liesl is a truly gifted director. Her simple and specific approach brings both clarity and freedom. She is a joy to work with."
                                    Heidi Waters, Actor and Playwright

“Thanks for all of your hard work. It really helped me to find my characters.”
Peter Anderson, Actor and Playwright

Producer Testimonials

“She has been a real asset to our artistic department, bringing a finely-tuned sense of craft to her textual analysis. Her written reports on each script are both insightful and eloquent.”
                                    Laurie Lam, Producer Manitoba Theatre Centre

“For me, Liesl is an important voice in the Canadian theatre community. She is a delightful collaborator, a welcome member of an ensemble and it is a privilege to unequivocally recommend her to you.”
                                    Leslee Silverman, Artistic Director Manitoba Theatre for Young People

REVIEWS for CANARY 2009

EYE WEEKLY, Caroline Lock - July 03, 2009
“Tasha Lawrence is so convincing as the frustrated Lily that one expects her to flinch when the house lights go up. The supporting cast never falters, and the stage management surpasses expectations…”

NOW Magazine, Jon Kaplan - July 04, 2009
“The topic is intriguing… the sarcastic, sometimes angry humour comes through loud and clear.”

REVIEWS for THE SWEETEST SWING IN BASEBALL 2008

The Georgia Straight, Colin Thomas, December 8
“Director Liesl Lafferty doesn’t just get great performances out of her cast; her staging, in which players simply turn their faces to the wall or lie down on the floor when they exit scenes, is a kind of minimalist poetry.”
http://www.straight.com/article-175245/sweetest-swing-baseball-features-sly-script-great-performances

West Ender, Debby Reis, December 13
“Jenn Griffin, whose pretentious, bird-like art snob, Rhonda Block, is so endearing, you wish she had more stage time.”
http://www.westender.com/articles/entry/joe-the-carpenter-sets-the-record-straight/

VancouverProvince, Jerry Wasserman, December 8
“Liesl Lafferty directs a tight production.”
http://www.theprovince.com/news/vancouver/Stage+nice+surprises/1046688/story.html

Vancouver Courier, Jo Ledingham, December 10
“Triolo is remarkable: she is… completely raw and fragile.”
http://www.canada.com/vancouvercourier/news/artsandentertainment/story.html?id=c1ae232f-8d03-4275-ab1a-58e3865fc824

Review From The House, Gillian Lockitch, December 12
“I really enjoyed the story and all five actors played their dual roles well… nicely done and worth a visit.”
http://www.reviewfromthehouse.com/blog/theatre-seen/-i-see-it/review-hous-sweetest-swing-baseball

Plank Magazine, Michael John Unger, December 14
“Liesl Lafferty directs this very talented cast… Jenn Griffin whose wonderful portrayal of a New York art socialite got the most laughs of the night with her flamboyant mannerisms and it’s Triolo that makes this production a hit.
http://www.plankmagazine.com/review/theatre/sweetest-swing-baseball-darryl-strawberry-rebecca-gilman-and-me