BIO: Dean Gabourie [gey-bree]
Dean Gabourie has been creating provocative theatre in Canada and abroad for over twenty-five years. Gabourie is a director, teacher, actor, writer & founding Artistic Director of the Award-winning ACME Theatre Co. Gabourie has earned acclaim for his direction of productions for such diverse companies as ACME Theatre Co., Buddies in Bad Times, Hilberry Repertory Theatre, Kazan CO-OP, Neptune Theatre, Shakespeare in Detroit, Shakespeare In the Rough, Tarragon Theatre, the CO, True Edge Productions and the Stratford Festival.
Education / Training
Gabourie is an alumni of Ryerson Theatre School, Ryerson University (highlighted as one of the top graduates of the past 40 years, 2014; Chairman's Award, 1989). Dean was a member of Soulpepper Theatre's, inaugural Directors Training program in 1999, the 2000 World Stage, Master Class for Directors, Middlesex University's, Directing Shakespeare Module in London, England 2002 and in 2008 was invited to the Stratford Festival, International Directors Summit. A much sought after Guest Director, teacher and facilitator, Gabourie has studied the crafts of creation & direction with such theatre luminaries as Mike Alfreds, John Barton, Tadeusz Bradecki, Lilo Baur & Stefan Metz of Theatre Complicite, Peter Brook, Joe Dowling, Gary Hynes, Jonathan Kent, Flora Lauten, Richard Monette, Yoshi Oida, One Yellow Rabbit, The Second City, Michael Shurtleff, Polly Teale & Dame Janet Suzman.
ACME Theatre Co.
Founding Artistic Director 1989 - present
Founded by Gabourie in 1989, the ACME Theatre Co. was at the vanguard of Toronto's burgeoning Independent Theatre Community in the early 1990's receiving two Dora Mavor Moore nominations and one award in their first season for their groundbreaking production of Edward Bond’s SAVED. (Making Gabourie one of the youngest Artistic Directors to receive a Dora in the awards history). A company ‘renowned for doing important work’, the ACME Theatre Co. has mounted rarely produced texts, (two World Premieres, three Canadian Premieres and one North American Premier), with some of Canada's finest directors.
[ for a detailed history please see History & Production History pages ]
Stratford Festival
Assistant / Associate Artistic Director 2008 - 2012
Gabourie has worked as a member of the Stratford Festival in various capacities for 10 seasons under 3 Artistic Directors commencing in 2001. In 2008 he was appointed Assistant Artistic Director of the Festival and in 2011 became Associate Artistic Director. Gabourie's directing credits for Stratford include The Thrill, The Best Brothers, Two Gentlemen of Verona & Bereav'd of Light. He has been assistant director to Des McAnuff, Antoni Cimolino & Richard Monette. Gabourie considers the founding of the Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Theatre Direction to be his most enduring legacy at the Festival. While working at Stratford Dean received the Tyrone Guthrie, Jean Gascon Award and was nominated for the John Hirsch Directors Award by Richard Monette.
[ for details please see Stratford Festival page ]
the CO
Founding Co-Artistic Director / Associate Artistic Director 2000 - 2005
Conceived as a ‘theatrical laboratory’, Gabourie co-founded the performance ensemble, ‘the CO', in 2000. the CO's adaptation of Vaclav Havel's, Vanek Trilogy, Audience/Unveiling/Protest, was invited to the 2004 Pilsen International Theatre Festival.
[ for a detailed production hstory please see the CO page ]
Theatre Performance
Founding the ACME Theatre Co. in 1989 as an Actor/Artistic Director, Gabourie earned fine reviews for every ACME production he performed in. Gabourie has also had an extensive career as a performer in Theatre outside of ACME. After attending the Ryerson Theatre School, (Chairman's Award 1989) Gabourie quickly established himself as 'a going concern' in Toronto's Independent Theatre scene. Beiginning his professional Theatre career in the, inagural, Fringe of Toronto 'hit', THE LAUNDRY, directed by and also starring Greg Kramer. Gabourie also starred in Peter Lynch's Rhubarb 'Hit', THE MAGICAL KEY TO COLOURFUL CONVERSATION, (remounted 3 times) and the Buddies in Bad Times 'smash hit', TALES OF THE PARKSIDE (remounted twice). Gabourie's last Toronto stage performance was in the Summerworks 'hit' THE LAST LINK directed by Cynthia Ashberger. Gabouries final stage performance, to date, was playing the title role in a one man, MEDEA, at Middlesex University, London, England.
RECENT:
Film & Television
Gabourie has also had an extensive career as an actor in film & television that began as the 'MR. LUBE' attendant for Bob & Doug Mackenzie, evolved into the re-accruing 'Young Cop' on FOREVER KNIGHT with Geraint Wyn Davies. Gabourie then came to the aid of Treat Williams in BONDS of LOVE, was a jewel theif killed by a 'nano possessed' bus in ROBOCOP, and appeared, then disappeared, with Kim Basinger & Jimmy Smits in the paranormal thriller BLESS the CHILD. Gabourie also rode shotgun to Tom McCamus & Paul Gross in the true story of MURDER MOST LIKELY.
Etcetera
Gabourie was born and raised in Toronto. He is the youngest son of the late Richard Gabourie who is considered a Canadian film industry pioneer as an actor, writer & producer (1978 Canadian Film Awards, Best Actor, Wendy Michener Award for Outstanding Achievement). Gabourie is a certified locksmith, archery enthusiast and lives in Stratford with his wife, artist & award winning photo illustrator Marcelle Faucher.
CURRICULUM VITAE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST:
