Expressive Arts Therapy > Faculty
Jamie Norris
Instructor
MA, EXAT
Jamie Norris (he/him) is an Expressive Arts Therapist who has been working in communities in the Canadian Northwest Territories for over 20 years. He is an accomplished theatre actor, writer and director who has acted in shows for major BC theatre companies including The Arts Club, Vancouver Playhouse, Belfry and Bard on the Beach.
He authored six plays for Green Thumb Theatre, winning a slew of awards including the 2001 Canadian National Playwright Competition and an Outstanding Script for Young Audiences award. For three years, Jamie was the artistic director of Theatre Terrific a company whose mandate was to create theatrical opportunities for people with disabilities. He brings these combined skills to his teaching in the Expressive Arts Therapy program.
Prior to joining the faculty, Jamie spent eight years touring around communities in the Northwest Territories doing suicide intervention and prevention work – a topic that is now a part of his writing and research. “Even if there is no art being made, the philosophies in Expressive Arts can really help to explore this challenging subject in a way that is authentic”.
Jamie believes that expressive arts therapy has helped him to corral all of his learnings and different aspects of his life. “To me there is such a clear connection between expressive arts therapy, counselling and directing [theatre]. It’s all about experiential learning and discovery. I’m not interested in being a director, counsellor or teacher that tells people what to do. There is a power in discovery and surprise. I want to foster that.”