Nelson is a dual-citizen to Canada and the US. She grew her career in Canada, writing and touring solo shows regarding social and political issues, and co-creating feminist theatre productions. Aside from being a road warrior on the Canadian Fringe Festival Circuit, her shows have been produced by various theatre companies in Alberta. As an improvisor, she was a company member with Loose Moose Theatre, frequently directing their Kid’s season. As a mask maker, she has supplied masks (Commedia & Emotional) internationally for theatre troupes, High Schools, and Universities. 

As a theatre educator, Nelson taught at the University of Windsor, Mount Royal University, Red Deer University, Ambrose University, and Rosebud School of the Arts. Her courses included Drama in Education, Applied Theatre, Theatre for Social Action, Improvisation, Theatre for Young Audiences, Clown, and Movement. As well, she has taught numerous workshops for community theatres, High School arts programs, and theatre festivals. 

As an Applied Theatre practitioner, Nelson has worked extensively as an artist-in residence, creating original plays with children and youth in educational and community settings. Highlights include creating physical theatre plays with Trickster Theatre and bringing children’s storybooks to life with Quest Theatre. She worked for over a decade simulating real life medical situations with Medical Skills Centre, University of Calgary. As a clown, she attended expeditions to South Africa, performing and leading workshops with the international humanitarian organization, Clowns Without Borders. She was part of a national museum tour with Journey of a Lifetime, a performance (both in French and English) representing the stories of Canada’s early immigrants. She started a chapter of The Shoe Project in southern Ontario, where she collaborated with Windsor Women Working with Immigrant Woman, performance coaching women in telling their stories of immigration to Canada. Nelson also collaborated with Community Living Windsor to create a devised performance with actor-creators with intellectual disabilities.

Nelson holds an MFA in Ensemble-Based Physical Theatre from the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre, a BEd in Fine Arts from the University of Calgary, and a BFA in Dramatic Arts from the University of Lethbridge.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Applied Theatre, Fringe Theatre, Disability Theatre, Theatre for Young Audiences, theatrical Clown and Bouffon, therapeutic clown, Theatre for Social Action, Feminist Theatre

TEACHING INTERESTS

Drama in Education, Applied Theatre approaches, Improvisation, Theatre for Young Audiences

WEBSITE
alicenelson.ca