Kim Collier

When I settled in to read A Doll's House (written in 1879) last year I expected to read a play that would feel old and perhaps whose politics were out of date. Instead what I found within the pages was a gripping drama that set out profound questions about how we live, by what social structures and values do we make our choices. The play reminded me that the pursuit of equality in society between men and women, although discussed in this play over a hundred years ago, is still relevant and is an ongoing challenge today. The great character that Ibsen created to explore this topic is Nora Helmer, and as the historical notes reveal, in its day the play shook the very foundations of our social fabric.

"Nora's words are resoundingly political, for in representing the inner reality of an
obscure Norwegianhousewife, they constitute a discourse of recognition for
every woman who has ever lived her life for a man and by Nora's count 'there are millions'."

The Poetry of Feminism

The universality of A Doll's House comes both from its demand for truth in every human relation and, perhaps more significantly, its demand for equality in the relation between women and men.

It took me a few days to write these program notes, I think because the themes of truth and equality embedded in A Doll's House mean a great deal to me. I come from an extremely progressive family and live within a very progressive marriage. But even in this context, in the back of my mind, way deep, deep down, I remain aware that I need to actively pursue this goal of equality. That at any time I need to know I have what is takes to get by in the world. That I have not let myself become defined wholly by another. That I have not, while participating in this relationship, fallen into a gender stereotype or started delivering myself in a package approved by society as a female. That I have remained true to me. I recognize that there are many situations where this is not the case, where many people have not had the chance, encouragement or opportunity to be in this position.

I hope that this play encourages us all, male and female, to participate together at as truthful a level as we can and to create opportunities on all sides for growth, love, self knowledge and equality.

It is a privilege to have the opportunity to explore A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen here at the Chemainus Theatre Festival with this fabulous cast, crew and design team and share the results of our investigation with you all. Enjoy the show.

Biography

For the past eleven years Kim Collier has been co-Artistic Director of Electric Company Theatre in Vancouver, a creationbased ensemble she co-founded with Kevin Kerr, David Hudgins and Jonathon Young and with whom she has co-authored seven of their original plays. Kim has been involved with the direction of all of the Electric Company productions, as well as directing for: Studio 58, Western Canada Theatre, Runaway Moon, and Vancouver Moving Theatre. In 2005, Kim made her debut as a film director with the feature length adaptation of Electric Company's The Score produced by Screen Siren Pictures and CBC.

In 2000 Kim received the Ray Michaels Award for Outstanding Emerging Director and has twice won Jessie Awards for Outstanding Direction for: The Score and The One That Got Away, as well as receiving nominations for direction of The Fall and Studies in Motion (Electric Company Theatre). As an actor she has worked for: Touchstone Theatre, Vancouver Playhouse, Richmond Gateway, Western Canada Theatre, Felix Culpa, Electric Company and others. She trained at University of Victoria and is a Graduate of Studio 58.