Biography

Born in Amsterdam and raised all over Canada, David van Belle is an Alberta-based playwright, director, actor and theatre deviser.  In recent years he has served as Writer-in-Residence for the Edmonton Public Library system, and co-playwright-in-residence at Edmonton’s Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre.  

He has been Co-Artistic Director of Ghost River Theatre, an ensemble member of One Yellow Rabbit and playwright-in-residence at Alberta Theatre Projects. In 2019 he premiered his new adaptation of A Christmas Carol at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre. His play Liberation Days premiered at Theatre Calgary in 2014 (now published by Scirocco Drama). His works with co-creator Eric Rose include GIANT, The Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst, The Highest Step in the World, Reverie and Tomorrow’s Child (co-created with Matthew Waddell).

David has also created such works as BUZZ JOB! The True Story of Cal Cavendish with Kris Demeanor and The Invisible Project during a month-long residency at Calgary’s largest homeless shelter. He is the recipient of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award (as part of the One Yellow Rabbit ensemble) several Betty Mitchell awards and numerous other awards and citations, as well as being a multiple nominee for the Gwen Pharis Ringwood prize in playwriting.

He is fascinated by people’s lives and the ways in which they live them; he shares his own beautiful life with his wife and his daughters in Edmonton ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (amiskwacîwâskahikan).