Meet Leonard Belsher, playwright
Discover the journey of Leonard Belsher, a playwright from the Outaouais, Quebec. Learn about his unique stories, his creative process, and the inspirations that fuel his passion for theatre. Explore his background, professional experiences, and how they shape his distinctive voice in Canadian playwriting.
From Outaouais farm to professional stages
Leonard Belsher grew up on a farm in Clarendon, Quebec. A few years after finishing high school, he ventured to Toronto, working in politics at Queen’s Park before pursuing a performing arts administration program. This led him to a career in professional theatre administration across Canada, with such illustrious companies as the Vancouver Playhouse, Shaw Festival, The Grand Theatre (London), and Alberta Theatre Projects, to name but a few.
From administration to artistic creation
Despite years in professional theatre, Leonard initially considered himself an enabler of artists rather than an artist himself, working predominantly in administration and marketing. Over time, he realized he possessed a wealth of stories to share. Playwriting emerged as the natural artistic outlet, drawing on his familiarity with the theatrical process from observing scripts coming to life during his time with various companies, especially Alberta Theatre Projects, known for its annual festival of new Canadian works.
A voice for untold Canadian stories
Leonard's plays often highlight lesser-known or Canadian historical-adjacent figures and stories, giving voice to lives that might otherwise be overlooked, some even delving into the intriguing boundaries between life and death. This fascination stems directly from his extensive experience as a storyteller, tour guide, and paranormal investigator, leading groups through historically haunted sites in the Ottawa region. This unique blend of performative storytelling, investigative fieldwork, and scholarly inquiry deeply enriches his writing.