Our Producer
Born January 3rd, 1958, John Edward Thompson got his first taste of theatre at the age of five, Over the years he has worked in many comminity productions; some of which include: Scrooge (1983) by Charles Dickens, All My Sons (1987) by Arthur Miller, A View from the Bridge (1988) by Arthur Miller, I’ll Be back before Midnight (1989) by Peter Colley, 1949 (1990) by David French, Return Engagement (1991) by Jack Sharkey, Song at Twilight (1994) by Noel Coward, Corner Green (1997) by Gordon Pinsent and Mutual Affair (1997) by Shirley Morrow.
On August 20, 1997, with the encouragement and support the towns’ then economic development officer, Rod French, he founded The A. N. D. Company Players. The vision of this new company would be: “To establish a theatrical tourism product in Grand Falls-Windsor and offer students of theatre and music a means of practicing their craft while earning money to continue their education.
The Price of Paper (1998) was his first attempt at writing for the stage. The story is based on fact and recounts the tale of two young people who journeyed to “The Grand Falls” during its construction days.
To date, he has created seven history based pieces:
The Price of Paper (1998)
Confederation Time (1999)
Atlantic Serenade (2000)
Jesse Courage goes to War (2002)
Wally’s Time (2002)
Atlantic Serenade 1941 (2005)
Departure Time (2006)
Atlantic Serenade 1943 (2011)
In addition to his work in theatre, John is a member of The Exploits Jazz Band and is a charter member of the Grand Falls-Windsor Concert Band. In 2007, John was honored by being asked to adjudicate the speech portion of the Central Newfoundland Kiwanis Music Festival.
Individual & Troupe Nominations/Honors and Awards
1997 – Recipient of Chairman’s Award Provincial Drama Festival (Corner Green)
1998 – Recipient of EDAC Gold Award for Marketing (The Price of Paper)
1998 – Recipient of EDAC RBC Award for Ingenuity (The Price of Paper)
1999 – Nominated for Newfoundland & Labrador Cultural Tourism Award
1999 -Recipient of Mabel Cobb Literary Award (The Price of Paper)
2001 – Nominated for Newfoundland & Labrador Cultural Tourism Award
2001 – Recipient of Community Drama Appreciation Award
2001 – Co-Recipient (Laura Race) Albert Hillier Arts Acclaim Award
2002 – Nominated for the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor Ambassador Award
2003 – Recipient of EDAC Gold Award for Marketing (Direct Mail Piece)
2003 – Nominated for the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor Ambassador Award
2003 – Recipient of Mabel Cobb literary Award
2004 – Recipient of the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor Ambassador Award
2004 – Named one of the “Best Theatre Experiences” in Newfoundland & Labrador by FROMMER”S.
2005 – Named Grand Falls-Windsor Centennial Arts’ Patron
2006 – Awarded Super Host Business Recognition Certificate by Hospitality Newfoundland Labrador
2006 – Named one of the “Best Theatre Experiences” in Newfoundland & Labrador by FROMMER”S.
2007 – Awarded Super Host Business Recognition Certificate by Hospitality Newfoundland Labrador
2008 – Awarded Super Host Business Recognition Certificate by Hospitality Newfoundland Labrador
2008 – Named one of the “Best Theatre Experiences” in Newfoundland & Labrador six years in a row by FROMMER”S.
2009 – Awarded Super Host Business Recognition Certificate by Hospitality Newfoundland Labrador
2010 – Awarded Super Host Business Recognition Certificate by Hospitality Newfoundland Labrador
2011 – Awarded Super Host Business Recognition Certificate by Hospitality Newfoundland Labrador
Television Documentary Appearances
* 2001 Life & Times (Gordon Pinsent) CBC
* 2003 Beyond your Backyard NTV
* 2005 Land & Sea (Out of the Forest) CBC
* 2007 Live from Quidi Vidi (Seven Shows with the Killicks)