The Playwright

James Hutchison Playwright

“Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.”

George Bernard Shaw

James Hutchison has written comedies such as What the Dickens! the story of the Pine Tree Players’ disastrous opening night production of A Christmas Carol. James also writes mysteries including his full-length 1950s detective mystery Heart of Stone featuring the hard-drinking and tough-as-nails Private Eye Jessica Quinn. James has also written dramas including a stage adaptation of A Christmas Carol and a play featuring a series of monologues called Stories from Langford. You can download and read any of his plays from this website for free. You can also check out his blog where he interviews other writers, actors, and directors about their work and creative process. James has a BA in Sociology from the University of Calgary and an Honours Diploma in Television Writing and Producing from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. Currently, James lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada where he writes, goes for walks, and has recently perfected his cast iron deep-dish pizza recipe.

James Hutchison lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada which is located on the ancestral home of the original storytellers of this land and includes the traditional territories of the peoples of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, including the Tsuut’ina Nation, Stoney Nakoda First Nations, including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations; and the Blackfoot Confederacy, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations. In addition, the City of Calgary is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III.

Select Playwriting Awards, Festivals, and Readings for Playwright James Hutchison

  • Happy Birthday Theo! 1000 Monkeys Project at The Calgary Fringe, 2023
  • MASQUERADE: Script Salon Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 2021
  • Under the Mistletoe – The Gingerbread Suite: – Script Salon Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 2020
  • Never Give Up: 2nd Place Tie – Judge’s Choice – Week 3 Short+Sweet Sydney – Sydney, Australia, 2020
  • Family Secrets: Semi-Finalist – BelieveAbility – A Festival on Religious Freedom & Faith – The Alternative Theatre Company, New York, NY, USA, 2020
  • Cinderella: Every Girl Wants Options: Selected for Production – 17th North Park Playwright Festival, San Diego, California, USA, 2019
  • Written in Stone: Selected for Production – Newmarket National Ten Minute Play Festival, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada – 2019
  • Valentine’s Day: Selected for Production – Newmarket National Ten Minute Play Festival, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada – 2018
  • MASQUERADE: Finalist – Austin Film Festival Stage Play Competition – Austin, Texas, USA – 2018
  • 500 bucks and a pack of smokes: Semi-Finalist – Rover Dramawerks Full-Length Comedy and Farces Play Contest – Plano, Texas – 2018
  • What the Dickens!: Finalist McLaren Memorial Comedy Play Writing Competition – Midland, Texas, USA – 2017
  • Death and the Psychiatrist voted Best Playwright 24th Annual MiniFest at Acadia University – Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada – 2017
  • Death and the Psychiatrist: Finalist Shakespeare in the ‘Burg One-Ac Play Competition – Middleburg, Virginia, USA – 2017
  • QUOTA: Audience Choice Award – British Theatre Challenge 2017 Act II – Skyblue Theatre Company – London, England – 2017
  • Never Give Up: Winner – Pint Sized Play Festival – Tenby, Wales, UK – 2017
  • Perfect Match: Därkhorse Drämatists Write to the Heart – Plays on Love Festival – Binghamton, New York, USA – 2016
  • Death and the Psychiatrist: Finalist 18th Annual Arts & Letters Prize Competition,  Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia, USA – 2016
  • Patrick Swayze is Dead: Winner 2nd Seven – Fusion Theatre Company – Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA – 2015
  • QUOTA: Winner 2015 Warner International Playwrights Festival – Torrington, Connecticut, USA – 2015
  • Death and the Psychiatrist: 2nd place Frostburg One-Act Playwriting Competition – Frostburg, Maryland, USA – 2015
  • Elvis is Dead: Winner Dewey Decimal Festival – Friends of the Chappaqua Library – Chappaqua, New York, USA – 2014
  • Under the Mistletoe: The Candy Cane Suite: Suncor Energy Stage One Festival of New Plays at Lunchbox Theatre – Calgary, Alberta, Canada – 2013
  • Under the Mistletoe: The Gingerbread Suite: Winner Suncor Energy Stage One Festival of New Plays at Lunchbox Theatre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada – 2012
  • Death and the Psychiatrist: Winner Suncor Energy Stage One Festival of New Plays at Lunchbox Theatre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada – 2011

Select Television Awards for Playwright James Hutchison

  • Sebastian: Sports Chek Mothers Day Run and Walk – First in PSA’s & Charities Television Bureau of Canada – 2008
  • Brewmaster: Brewsters Brewing Co. & Restaurant – First in Alcohol Television Bureau of Canada – 2005
  • Modern Times: Canadian Western Natural Gas, Gold: Retail Stores – 25th Anniversary Telly Awards – 2003
  • 2001 Canadian Wakeboard Championships: Waterski Canada – Gold: Sports Programs – Aurora Awards – 2003
  • Little Sister: Calgary Cannons – Bronze: Amusements and Entertainment – Telly Awards – 2003
  • Get in the Game! Calgary Hitmen – Top Ten Single Market Retailers – Television Bureau of Canada – 2002
  • Way too Cool! Macs – Gold: Beverage – Aurora Awards – 2002
  • Family Time: Winterco – Gold: Fashion, Clothing, & Apparel – Worldfest Houston – 2002
  • Chess: Calgary Stampeders – Bronze: Amusements & Entertainment – Telly Awards – 2001
  • Summer Heat: Eyeclectic Eyewear – Gold: Apparel & Accessories – Worldfest Houston – 2000
  • Extreme: Lundgren & Young Insurance – Silver: Insurance – Worldfest Houston – 1999
  • Modern Times: Canadian Western Natural Gas, Honourable Mention: Home Improvements Television Burea of Canada – 1998
  • In Profile: Remembrance Day Reflections: CFCN Television Lethbridge Can Pro Gold – 1994
  • LA Transit: – Lethbridge Transit – TVB Category Winner – Television Bureau of Canada – 1994
  • Sheet Music: Leisters Sheet Music – TVB Honourable Mention – 1992
  • Living With the Past – The Legacy of Suicide: Bronze Plaque Award – Social Documentary – 39th Annual Columbus International Film and Video Festival – 1991
  • Best New Program of the Year: Profile – Calgary Cable 10 – Community Television Awards – 1987
  • Special of the Year: Made for TV – Calgary Cable 10 – Community Television Awards – 1984
  • Host of the Year – Profile – Calgary Cable 10 Community Television Awards – 1981
  • Special of the Year: All Star Comedy – Calgary Cable 10 Community Television Awards – 1981

FEATURED PLAYS

Link to A Christmas Carol by James Hutchison
Link to Masquerade by James Hutchison

Link to What the Dickens by James Hutchison
Link to Under the Mistletoe by James Hutchison
Link to Heart of Stone - A Jessica Quinn Mystery - Jam

Creative Organizations and Festivals Worth Checking Out

Alberta Playwrights Network – Playwrights Guild of Canada – Theatre Alberta

Alexander Writers’ Centre – Austin Film Festival

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity – Alberta Media Production Industries Association – Banff World Media Festival

Calgary Theatre Companies Worth Checking Out

Theatre Calgary – Alberta Theatre Projects – Vertigo Theatre – Lunchbox Theatre

Stage West Theatre – Calgary International Fringe Festival – Rosebud Theatre – Handsome Alice Theatre

Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society – Storybook Theatre – Sage Theatre – Jubilations Dinner Theatre

“Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious.”
Peter Ustinov