holds an MFA (2011) in Ensemble Based Physical Theatre from the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre, a BEd (2017) from the University of Calgary and a BFA (2000) in Dramatic Arts from University of Lethbridge. In 2018, she moved across the country to join the School of Dramatic Arts. She teaches courses in Drama in Education and Community, TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences), Theatre for Social Action, and Improvisation.
As a theatre educator, Prof. Nelson has taught at Mount Royal University, Red Deer University, Ambrose University and Rosebud School of the Arts. As well, she has taught numerous workshops for community theatres, High School arts programs, and theatre festivals.
Prof. Nelson has worked as an actor-creator, playwright, director, producer, puppeteer, improvisor, mask maker and clown. She has written and toured solo shows regarding social and political issues and co-created feminist theatre productions. Aside from being a road warrior on the Fringe Circuit, her shows have been produced by the Calgary Animated Objects Society, New West Theatre, Downstage Theatre, Magnetic North Theatre Festival, Handsome Alice Theatre, and Sarasvàti Productions. As an improvisor, she was a company member with Loose Moose Theatre, frequently directing for their Kid’s Season. As a mask maker, she has supplied masks (Commedia and Emotional) internationally for theatre troupes, High Schools and Universities.
As an applied theatre practitioner, Prof. Nelson has worked extensively as an artist-in-residence, creating original plays with children and youth in educational and community settings. Highlights include creating physical theatre plays with Trickster Theatre and bringing children’s storybooks to life with Quest Theatre. She worked for over a decade simulating real life medical situations with the Medical Skills Centre, University of Calgary. As a clown, she attended expeditions to South Africa, performing and leading workshops with the international humanitarian organization, Clown Without Borders. She was part of national museum tour with Journey of a Lifetime, a performance (both in French and English) representing the stories of Canada’s early immigrants. In 2023, she worked as a Performance Coach on The Shoe Project’s collaboration with Windsor Women Working With Immigrant Woman; supporting women in telling their stories of immigration to Canada. Recently, she performed with the Acting Troupe at Heritage Park, where they address historical racism through live street theatre.
Prof. Nelson’s current creative activity involves performing new work in both comedy and theatre for social justice with theatres in Detroit. As well, she has been doing outreach theatre with Windsor Community Living, coaching drama to people with intellectual disabilities
Contact Information:
Room 208 Jackman Dramatic Art Centre
alice.nelson@uwindsor.ca
519-253-3000 x2803
Website: http://alicenelson.ca/ "
Actor-Deviser. Art Speaks. Matrix Theatre. Detroit, MI.
Actor. Aging Bull. Planet Ant Theatre. Detroit, MI.
Actor. The Inventors and Telegraph in Time. Acting Troupe Heritage Park. Calgary, Alberta
Performance Coach. The Shoe Project: Taking New Steps. Collaboration between The Shoe Project and Windsor Women Working With Immigrant Women. Windsor, Ontario.
Actor. Journey of a Lifetime. Co-production Heritage Park/ Quest Theatre, Canada National Tour
Actor/ Improvisor. Snow White. Loose Moose Theatre. Calgary, Alberta.
Playwright. Benorix Hur: A Race for Freedom. Commissioned and performed by Raha International School, Abu Dhabi.
Director/Adapter. School for Wives/School for Husbands. Mainstage Production. Red Deer University. Red Deer, Alberta.
Director/Adapter. Sleeping Beauty. Loose Moose Theatre. Calgary, Alberta.
Playwright. King Arthur and His Magnificent Knights. Commissioned and performed by Maplewood School. MBZ City, UAE.
Director. Three Little Pigs. New West Theatre. Lethbridge, Alberta.
Actor-Creator. Animal Farm Treatment/ La ferme des animaux revisitée. Alberta High School Tour.
Actor-Creator. Ms.Sugarcoat. Animated Object Festival, Sage Theatre’s Ignite Festival (Calgary, Alberta) and New West Theatre (Lethbridge, Alberta) and Canadian Fringe Circuit.
Actor/ Puppeteer. Pigs in a Canoe/ Petits cochons dans in canot. WP Puppet Theatre. School Tour, Animated Object Festival, Calgary, Alberta. Puppet Up! Festival. Almonte, Ontario.
Playwright. Keep Sweet (co-created with Stephen Delano). Staged Reading. Calgary, Alberta.
Director. Boy’s Own Jedi Handbook. Empress Theatre. Fort Macleod, Alberta.
Director. Mockingbird Close. Lunchbox Theatre. Calgary, Alberta.
Actor/Puppeteer. How I Became Invisible. CLUNK Puppet Lab, Puppets Up! Festival. Almonte, Ontario.
Actor-Creator. Elephant. Festival of Animated Objects, Loose Moose Theatre, Lyric Theatre, School Tour, Canadian Fringe Circuit.
Playwright. The Worry Wart. Empress Theatre, Edmonton Fringe. Alberta.
Actor-Creator. RAUNCH: The Rise of Female Chauvinist Pigs (co-created with Jacqueline Russell). Downstage Theatre, Sarasvàti Productions, Canadian Fringe Circuit. Magnetic North Theatre Festival.
Actor-Creator. Local Celebrity. No Refund Theatre (Penn State), Canadian Fringe Circuit.
2024- Community Arts Infrastructure Grant, Windsor Endowment for the Arts
2024- Faculty Member of the Year, School of Dramatic Art, University of Windsor
2019- Faculty Member of the Year, School of Dramatic Art, University of Windsor
2016- Alberta Foundation for the Arts: Theatre Project Grant, Animal Farm Treatment/ La ferme des animaux revisiteé.
2014- Winner of the Audience Choice Poll at Sage Theatre’s Ignite! Festival, Ms.Sugarcoat
2014- Alberta Foundation for the Arts: Theatre Project Grant, Ms. Sugarcoat
2012- Alberta Foundation for the Arts: Theatre Project Grant, KEEP SWEET
2009- Canada Council/ AFA: Creative Development Initiative Grant, RAUNCH: The Rise of Female Chauvinist Pigs
2009- Alberta Lottery Fund: Community Initiative Program Grant, Elephant
2008- Calgary Arts Development: Special Project Grant, Elephant