Eric Rose is the Co-Artistic Director of Calgary’s Ghost River Theatre and a busy freelance director, creator, playwright dramaturge, and educator. While he formally trained as an actor at the University of Toronto and Sheridan College’s Joint Theatre and Drama Studies Program, he considers the four seasons he spent as Theatre Calgary’s Artistic Associate as his real education and as the start of his emergence as a director and artistic director.

Rose says his innovative approach to theatre is fueled by an immense passion, fascination, and curiosity for devising, developing and interpreting stories.

The adjudicators were “knocked out by the visual quality and physicality of his approach.” An approach that has led to work across Canada, into the United States and as far away as South Korea and Ghana.

“I am experimenting with developing new performance in a laboratory environment,” says Rose. “Everyone participates in all aspects of creation. Designers have the opportunity to contribute to the formation of narrative and character, while actors have the ability to influence and propose visual and auditory ideas.”

Rose also explores emerging and antiquated technologies and their impact on the construction of narrative, representation and the theatrical experience. And he’s fascinated by the dynamics of spatial relationships and the way space can be transformed and re-imagined by the use of choreography, blocking and design.

The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Foundation has established a program of awards for emerging artists to support and encourage promising artists, early in their careers, while also serving to raise the profile of the arts in Alberta.

The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Awards are awarded every second year, beginning in 2008. Each Award consists of $10,000 and a medal. Up to ten prizes may be awarded in each awards cycle. Award recipients are selected by an application and adjudication process. Emerging Alberta Artists who meet the eligibility criteria may make application for the Award.

Appraisals are required from two established artists who are in a position to provide the Foundation with a candid assessment of the Applicant’s current accomplishments and potential to develop.

The Awards will be presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta at an event held at Government House in Edmonton.