Pinsent to mentor native playwright
Veteran actor Gordon Pinsent has chosen to mentor theatre artist Kevin Loring through the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Mentorship Program.
The program pairs veteran winners of Governor General's Awards with artists in mid-career with the idea that they will give creative guidance and advice.
Loring is author of the acclaimed play Where the Blood Mixes and has performed in plays across Canada, including Copper Thunderbird and The Ecstasy of Rita Joe.
"He's on a roll now and his work is terrific," Pinsent said Tuesday in Montreal as the mentorship arrangement was announced. He said he chose Loring from among about 10 other artists.
Pinsent said he's not sure what will come of the arrangement but he would love to open doors for the younger man.
"I would really have loved to have someone say 'this one is a shortcut' and give it to me and save me a bit of time," he told CBC News.
Pinsent said he may act as a "secret partner" going over Loring's new work or just point out "what to allow, what not to and how not to make the same mistakes that I've made."
Loring and Pinsent were both at the Montreal ceremony to announce this year's winners of Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.
Loring, a member of the N'lakap'mux (Thompson) First Nation in Lytton, B.C., called the pairing a huge honour.
"I always look to my elders to help illuminate the paths I may encounter, or to shed some insight on the ones I have already encountered," he said.
"I have so many projects that I would like to do and Gordon has already done these things. He's a wealth of information, a wealth of experience that I hope to tap into."
It is the third year of the mentorship program which includes an honorarium and a chance to be showcased on a national stage during the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Gala weekend.
In 2008, dance icon Veronica Tennant selected Vancouver choreographer Crystal Pite and in 2009, jazz legend Oliver Jones chose to mentor the talented jazz artist Dione Taylor.
SOURCE