Brian Freeman, a long-time mentor and friend to Praxis, has died in Toronto after a long illness.
Brian started his professional life as a playwright, actor, theatre critic, arts journalist, dramaturge and associate director of English Theatre at the National Arts Centre –- interspersed with stints as a carpenter, taxi driver, bookstore manager and whale counter. In the mid-eighties he became Senior Development Officer at the Ontario Film Development Corporation, then moved to CBC where for several years he was Creative Head of Movies and Miniseries. As such, he traveled across Canada and worked tirelessly and empathetically with the country’s best television writers. At the same time he was a frequent advisor in Praxis workshops, and was equally encouraging to new and untried talent. He gave us wise counsel not only on individual screenplays, but also on our overall vision for the future of Praxis.
Brian died peacefully at home on January 6 2009 with his wife Patty and two sons Morgan and Walker at his side.