Biography
Tannis Kowalchuk is co-founder and artistic director of NACL Theatre, a theatre venue and artists residence in rural New York. Originally from Canada, Tannis trained in ensemble physical theatre practices of Primus Theatre in Canada and Odin Teatret of Denmark. She has created and performed in over 18 NACL productions. Recently, Tannis created and directed Courage, an outdoor site-specific spectacle based on Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children. The 25-member cast will bring the work to Governor’s Island in NYC in 2017. Tannis has focused on large-scale arts engagement creations since 2013, when she directed, The Weather Project a climate change focused theatre performance with a cast of over 75 professionals, scientists, and community members. Past work includes STRUCK (2013) a devised play about stroke presented at Cleveland Public Theatre and HERE in NYC, Shakespeare's Will by Vern Thiessen, and The Little Farm Show (2011), a musical co-written by Kowalchuk about farming and food justice, Self Portrait at County Fair (2009), The Lost Book of Lakewood House (2009), site specific performance about the history of the Catskills, The Uncanny Appearance of Sherlock Holmes (2008,) in the role of Dr. John Watson at HERE Arts Center (New York City), and The Mystery of Lakewood House (2007). Other significant performances include The Confessions of Punch and Judy created and performed with Ker Wells and director Raymond Bobgan, 10 Brecht Poems, a collaboration with Leese Walker of Strike Anywhere, and The Passion according to G.H., a solo performance directed by NACL co-artistic director, Brad Krumholz. Tannis leads the education and artist-in-the schools program at NACL Theatre. In 2008 she and her family founded Willow Wisp Organic Farm, where she is manager of cut flower production. Tannis is a graduate of The University of Winnipeg theatre department and was a core member of Primus Theatre, a prominent experimental theatre troupe based in Canada from 1990-97.