Bio
As a writer of musical drama, Vincent de Tourdonnet has always sought to put social justice at the forefront- connecting passionate words to music with many respected collaborators since 1985. His epic historical musical Pélagie, adapted from Antonine Maillet's Goncourt prize-winning novel, is about a mother leading her family back homeward, during the terrible 18th century refugee crisis which was the deportation of the Acadians. Pélagie went from CanStage’s main stage to the National Arts Centre, was broadcast twice on CBC radio, and de Tourdonnet directed the eastern Canada tour in English and French. His Joan of Arc musical Jeanne, which asked difficult questions about the religious legacy of that heroine in an age of renewed inter-faith conflict, was also performed in both languages, and was one of the largest-scale musicals ever produced in Quebec; seen by nearly 100,000 people in Montreal and Quebec City. Snappy Tales, de Tourdonnet’s collection of short musicals united by their themes of anti-authoritarian satire (one adapted with approval from Kurt Vonnegut), received 7 Dora nominations for the Toronto premiere, and his satire on the medical profession, Strange Medicine, was both a critical and public hit in his native British Columbia, attracting appreciation and alarm from doctors for highlighting challenges within their profession. While in New York studying musical theatre writing at the BMI workshop under Maury Yeston and others, Vincent taught musical theatre writing at Long Island University.
Currently, Vincent is creating an electronic musical based on the Andrew Moodie play The Real McCoy, about the African-Canadian inventor who helped revolutionize the steam engine. He's co-writing the music with Nicholas Murray of Lal and Rosalind Mills. Other current projects include an updated alt-rock version of Jeanne, the Joan of Arc Musical.
Vincent coaches and facilitates in English and French across Canada with the training company Plays That Work. An advocate for cycling and other forms of clean active transportation, Vincent has had chapters and articles published in On Bicycles, 50 ways the New Bike Culture Can Change Your Life and Momentum Magazine. He is vice-chair of the board of directors of Transportation Options.
Currently, Vincent is creating an electronic musical based on the Andrew Moodie play The Real McCoy, about the African-Canadian inventor who helped revolutionize the steam engine. He's co-writing the music with Nicholas Murray of Lal and Rosalind Mills. Other current projects include an updated alt-rock version of Jeanne, the Joan of Arc Musical.
Vincent coaches and facilitates in English and French across Canada with the training company Plays That Work. An advocate for cycling and other forms of clean active transportation, Vincent has had chapters and articles published in On Bicycles, 50 ways the New Bike Culture Can Change Your Life and Momentum Magazine. He is vice-chair of the board of directors of Transportation Options.
