About Allison

Allison McWood is a full-time, multi award-winning playwright who takes a particular interest in farce and political satire. Allison holds an honours degree in English Literature from York University with a specialization in Renaissance Drama. She also spent two years studying Playwriting and Dramaturgy through York’s Department of Theatre and received a diploma from the Institute of Children’s Literature.

Allison’s first attempt at writing a play was at the age of seven when she wrote a musical detailing the pursuit of a lost goat in a French mountain village. Although this play is not included in Allison’s repertoire, she believes the little, pink notebook, containing the script might still be stashed somewhere in the closet at her parents’ house. Since then, her plays have been produced across Canada and have been recognized both nationally and internationally. Charming audiences throughout Ontario, Allison has received high praises for her fast-paced comedy, crisp dialogue, vivid characters and hard-hitting messages.

Much of Allison’s work is heavily influenced by British writers such as P.G. Wodehouse, Douglas Adams and William Shakespeare. She also draws a great deal of her inspiration from music, crediting the rhythm and tempo in her scripts to her favourite hip hop artists. Stage musicals also inspire her. Allison’s writing has been compared to such artists as Tom Stoppard, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Becket, George. F. Walker, Norm Foster and Georges Feydeau.

Outside of her professional life, Allison enjoys reading more books than one human being should be allowed to read, music, fishing, cross-country skiing, enjoying the companionship of her MANY pets and photographing sheep. (Don't ask) Allison is a proud Hebridean-Canadian, pacifist and frog enthusiast. She is fond of God, cats, earth tones, Jeeves & Wooster, Bono and Highland Cows.

Oh, and Allison would like to make it public knowledge that "The McWoods" are from the same town as Robert Burns. So much creativity came out of the little town of "Ayr," Scotland.