It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen remains one of the greatest novelists in the English language. While many of us first encounter Austen through Hollywood adaptations of her stories that push them into the realm of rom-com (and, let’s face it, who doesn’t love a good rom-com?), the novels themselves are insightful, … More Pride & Prejudice in Montpelier
I usually use this site to post brief updates about my own work, but today I wanted to share a longer post about David Vermette’s A Distinct Alien Race, a new book about Franco-American life in New England. It has been one of the unexpected twists of my adult life that my creative work has … More “A Distinct Alien Race”
Just in time for the holidays, I’ve lowered the price for the DVD version of my solo show, Piecework When We Were French. The show, which toured widely in northern New England between 2009 and 2011, explores the legacy of French-Canadian immigration to New England and the relationship between ancestry, memory, and identity, and the … More New, Low Price for Piecework DVD
There are just two weekends left of David Budbill’s Judevine at Montpelier, Vermont’s Lost Nation Theater. I expect these shows to sell out, so if you plan to attend, get your tickets in advance to guarantee yourself a seat. With our opening weekend behind us, we’ve received thoughtful reviews from Montpelier’s Times Argus and Burlington’s … More “Judevine” Reviews
I’m not French-from-France, nor quebecoise, nor Acadian. I’m Franco-American, like Jack Kerouac. My solo show, Piecework: When We Were French, explored the enduring influence of Franco-American culture in Vermont and New England. But when I’ve performed the show in Canada, where I live, I’ve felt that audiences needed a fuller introduction to the history it … More Reading In Montpelier
Judevine By David Budbill April 20-May 7, 2017 Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier, Vermont Directed by Kim Bent and Starring Ben Ash, Sean Gregory, Ashley Nease, Robert Nuner, Abby Paige, Scott Renzoni, and Mark Roberts This month I return to Lost Nation Theater in Montpelier, Vermont for a very special production of the beloved play Judevine, … More Returning to Judevine
Tomorrow I’ll be part of a conversation about the ties between Vermont and Quebec on Vermont Public Radio’s noontime call-in program, Vermont Edition. The program will explore many of the same themes as my solo show, Piecework: When We Were French: the long history of migration across the border; the cultural similarities between Vermont and … More Franco-American Panel on VPR
It has been a long, rugged ride, but the DVD of my solo show, Piecework: When We Were French, is finally available! You can order your copy through Paypal or, if you prefer snailmail, you can use this old-fashioned printable order form. The DVD is the culmination of almost a year’s worth of work (not … More “Piecework” DVD Available NOW!
I’m happy to announce that, after almost 9 months of planning, fundraising, rehearsing, filming, and editing, the DVD of Piecework: When We Were French has finally been sent off for duplication. In just a few weeks, the duplicated copies will be in my hands and ready to be distributed to donors, supporters, and eager audiences … More DVD Update: Thoughts on Completion
Two months ago, I wrapped up a weekend of performances at Lost Nation Theater and the filming of the DVD of my solo show, Piecework: When We Were French. Since then, I’ve hardly uttered a peep about the project here, in large part because the filming was just the beginning of the work! But I … More At Long Last, A DVD Production Update
ABBY PAIGE 