When Anna Chatterton was in her early 20s, she noticed a lack of female representation in the Toronto theatre scene.
A new graduate from Concordia University's theatre program, she decided to do something about it.
"There was a lack of experimental and explicitly female-led feminist work in Toronto, so I decided to step into that gap," she said.
"I wanted to explore women's societal roles, constraints and obsessions, both historically and in contemporary settings, and the theatre seemed like the ideal place to do this."
Chatterton's first play, Clean Irene and Dirty Maxine, co-written by and co-starring her friend and colleague Evalyn Parry, debuted in 2003. It was a hit and received numerous awards, launching Chatterton's career and solidifying her career path.
Fast-forward more than two decades, and Chatterton is an in-demand playwright, librettist and performer known for riveting female-focused works.
Her plays and operas have been staged and produced locally and nationally. She is a two-time Governor General's Literary Awards nominee in the drama category.
Chatterton is also the incoming Mabel Pugh Taylor Writer in Residence at McMaster University.
The program provides an established Canadian author with writing time and the opportunity to mentor writers from the Hamilton community and beyond through workshops and one-on-one consultations.
"It's such an honour to have this position that allows me to work with emerging writers and have dedicated writing time," Chatterton said. "I find inspiration working with other writers and being out in the community."
In addition to writing consultations and office hours at the university and Hamilton Public Library, Chatterton plans to host a variety of free workshops through the fall and winter.
"Based on my experience with mentorship and teaching, there are beautiful, inspiring moments of seeing writers really click into their own authentic voices and loving what they're creating," she said.
"However, it is also important to recognize that writing is hard and there are days where it's a struggle. I have those days, too, and it's important to find ways to stay inspired."
Speaking of inspiration, Chatterton has a busy year ahead with multiple projects: She's working on a commission from Tapestry Opera based on a short story by Monique Proulx with Irish composer Gareth Williams. She is co-writing a new play with Parry for a future production at Brock University based on the Chaucer character the Wife of Bath.
Chatterton and Karen Ancheta were recently awarded the Ontario Arts Council Creation in Residence grant to continue writing their play O.A. at Theatre Aquarius.
She also wrote and is acting in a remount of a multidisciplinary performance called Synaptic Rodeo at McMaster University's LIVELab in November.
Another project is a book called Children of Fire, cowritten with activist/artist Shahrzad Arshadi. Comprising essays, interviews and a play about Kurdish female freedom fighters, it will be published by Book*hug Press in 2026.
Chatterton says her 16-year-old self would be impressed that she followed her dreams.
"I think that girl would have been so proud that I stayed with theatre, and kind of amazed that I actually made it work," she said.
"When you go to an arts high school like I did, you aren't sure if you can make a living as an artist. All these years later, I'm still doing theatre, I'm still writing and I'm still an artist. It's hard to imagine a different life than the one I've carved out for myself."
Chatterton lives in Hamilton with husband and artist Jim Ruxton, and their 12-year-old daughter, Frida.
The Mabel Pugh Taylor Writer in Residence program is led by the department of English and Cultural Studies in McMaster's Faculty of Humanities, in partnership with McMaster University Library and Hamilton Public Library. It is supported by the Taylor family.
