jimdalling.com

Laura Hegge- Script and Educational Consultant

Josh Bell - Composer

 Josh started recording in 1995 on a 4-track.  Picking up a variety of instruments along the way, Josh found his composing heavily influenced by the likes of Carl Stalling, Raymond Scott, Tom Waits and Duke Ellington.  Josh is currently enrolled in the music program at the University of Toronto.  Josh lives happily with his wife Amanda and a double bass.  Josh regularly receives mail for a dead man.

Michael Cowie - Graphic and Web Design Services

Michael is a freelance designer and web developer who also has an MFA in Directing for theatre and has thrown Jim over his shoulder for fun and profit.  Mike re-designed the Joomla template for this site, and examples of his work can be found at www.michaelcowie.ca

And a bunch more about me, Jim Dalling

Jim Dalling is a freelance joymonger -  a comedian, writer, mask-maker, teacher and creator of fantastic things.  Jim's life is dedicated to making things that are magical, wonderful, imaginative and filled with  whimsy and joy.  With the voice of a mime, wisdom of a fool and heart of a child, Jim has affected the hearts, minds and spirits of thousands with his performances, workshops and community creations.

The son of a firefighter and teacher, Jim's performing career started at a young age.  In the first grade, Jim starred in the Humber Park Elementary School Christmas spectacular with his portrayal of 'Santa Clause'.  For this role Jim was required to sit still and be quiet for more than five minutes.  It was no small feat.  Jim school theatrics continued with such controversial roles as 'Class Clown' (grades k – 7), “Smart Alec' (grades 8 – 11) finally culminating in Jim's 1990 portrayal of 'Fool' – a role he has played ever since.

A graduate of both Dalhousie University and The Dell Arte International School of Physical Theatre Jim has also trained with Canadian physical theatre legends Primus Theatre and in Paris with the great Philppe Gaulier.  Jim's creative influences include, Maude Lewis, Leon Redbone, Jonathan Richman, Roald Dahl, The Muppets (Jim Henson) Loony Tunes and The Marx Brothers.

Since 2005 Jim has been mentored by and working with internationally acclaimed performer, mask maker and writer Rob Faust.  In addition to collaborating with Mr. Faust on several projects, Jim has been performing 'Little Big Frog' for Faustwork Mask Theatre in theatres and schools all over Canada.

Throughout his career, Jim has demonstrated a commitment to bringing exciting educational theatre to isolated areas in unconventional ways. In 1995 he toured Canada with Generation 2000, performing over 100 shows in high schools from Nanaimo B.C. to St. Albains Newfoundland. Tools For Change dealt with concerns of youth ranging from apathy and racism to biodiversity.  Perhaps Jim's most unconventional theatre experience to date came in 1999, when he toured the eastern seaboard of the United States aboard the Caravan Theatre's tall ship, The Amara Zee.  As both a crew member and actor, he sailed to small towns and large cities performing in Trapped, a Whale of a Tale - a ninety-minute play based on Farley Mowatt's controversial "A Whale for the Killing".  The performance used all the decks of the ship, areas of the shore and all of the ships rigging.  There were aerialists, dancers and actors.  During the show Jim was a clown / acrobat.  While sailing he was the engineer's assistant.  Other clown shows include:  When Two Nerds Collide (Halifax Fringe Hit 1996) God is Sitting On My Head, (Halifax Fringe Hit 2000, directed by Sue Morrison)

Jim has also appeared in festivals in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton Toronto, Sydney (Nova Scotia), Oakville, New York, Chicago, Boston and San Francisco.  In June of 2000, Jim won the Montreal Fringe Theatre Festivals' "24 Hour Play-writing Competition".  Jim has appeared as Felix in Sudbury Theatre Centers' production of Pinocchio.

Other performances include  Ask Me If I'm A Tree (developed in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources), The Great Recycling Circus (developed in partnership with the Cape Breton Regional Waste Management Committee), God is Sitting on My Head, The Brooklyn Show and The Simplest Thing,   Jim's latest work Loki's Big Dream has been playing to critical and audience acclaim in Southern Ontario schools since March of 2008 and is currently available for bookings.

Upcoming projects include Loki's Big Scream and Loki's Marvelous Machine the second and third part of Jim's Loki Trilogy.

Jim has partnered with many organizations over the years including:

• The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources
• The Canadian Forest Service
• The Resource Recovery Fund Board
• Recycling Council of Ontario
• Nova Forest Alliance
• Fundy Model Forest
• Halifax Regional Water Commission