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Scott Penner

BFA York University

xbadgadjitx hotmail.com

Coming from the suburbs, but not forever trapped there... I like to call Toronto home- where I earned a BFA in theatre production at York University. My formal training is in Set & Costume design, but not limited to just that. I also write plays, design clothes & handbags, as well as playing around with directing every once and a while. I like to experiment with art and theatre whenever possible.

       And we love Art for Art's sake!
       It's smart for Art's sake,
       To part, for Art's sake,
       With your heart, for Art's sake,
       And your mind, for Art's sake-
       Be blind, for Art's sake,
       And deaf, for Art's sake,
       And dumb, for Art's sake,
       Until, for Art's sake,
       They kill, for Art's sake,
       All Art for Art's sake!
             -from Marc Blitzstein's The Cradle Will Rock

Art, in my opinion needs to be innovative, fresh and accessible. It is from this mandate that I am constantly in search for new theatre that challenges the status quo, asks questions and inspires change. Considering this type of theatre is hiding-out, or taking a vacation somewhere (where did it go... I know you're out there)... I've decided to take matters into my own hands, creating theatre which is politically charged.

Some of my recent theatre credits include Set & Costume design for Theatre @ York's 'Death and the Maiden' as well as for Shakespeare in Action's 'Shakespeare for Kidz' program. I debuted in 2001 with a solo gallery exhibition of illustrations entitled 'sketchbook'. New plays include, In Queue and the most recent: The Street Kid Project- A politically charged play about Toronto's street community. I also initiated 'Coming Up': A collaborative project that was work-shopped at York's University. I have also held the position of Co-Artistic director for Theatre @ York's playGround Theatre Festival.