Michael Kennard

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Drama, University of Guelph, 1986.

Clown, Theatre Resource Centre, Toronto, 1988.

Major Career Achievements

Associate Professor, Department of Drama, University of Alberta, July 2012 - 2018.

Assistant Professor Department of Drama, University of Alberta, 2007 - 2012.

Co-Artistic Director, Theatre Company, Mump and Smoot, (30 Years) 1988 - present. Clown-based company has toured throughout North America. Have created 7 full-length shows

Created, produced and performed in; one-man show Puzzle Me Red in Toronto and recently a collective creation The Water Project at the University of Alberta Second Playing Space.

Freelance Director for The Christmas Carol, The Hobbit and The Wizard of Oz at The Globe Theatre in Regina, The Second City's Family Circus Maximus and Insanity Fair in Toronto and co-directed Embryo's on Ice in Chicago, Echoes, Pandemonium, and Half a Sixpence at Bishops' University and The Hollow at Berkeley Street Theatre in Toronto, as well as numerous performer-created plays: recently Sizzle and Spark in Karma Sutra and Hushaby at the Montreal, Toronto and Edmonton clown festivals.

For his creative work he has received a Dora award (Toronto), three Canadian Comedy awards, a Boston Theatre award and a Drama Logue award (California). For his teaching he has received The Faculty of Arts Undergraduate teaching Award and the Unit Teaching Award for being part of the BFA Acting faculty.

Recent Credits

Michael recently played Muzzleguts in Coyotes at Caravan Farm Theatre in Armstrong BC. He also was Bouffon Coach on Colleen Murphy's new play The Society for the Destitute present Titus Bouffonius at The Vancouver East Cultural Center, which won six Jessie awards in 2018.
Mump and Smoot in Anything (new show), Vancouver East Cultural Center, York Theatre, High Performance Rodeo/ATP (Calgary) Theatre Network (Edmonton). Future shows TBA Toronto.
Mump and Smoot Website: http://mumpandsmoot.com/