BMus (Percussion) University of Victoria
MFA (Creative Writing) University of British Columbia
BMus (Percussion) University of Victoria
MFA (Creative Writing) University of British Columbia
Writing
- opera libretti, choral texts, and song lyrics,
with recent forays in playwriting
Tobin is a former contributing editor for Arc Poetry Magazine.
PLAYS
2020
Artellectuals
10-minute miniplay, commissioned and premiered March 2020 Spark Festival, Belfry Theatre, Victoria, BC,
in association with SKAM Theatre and Other Guys Theatre Company
2019
Trust Me
10-minute miniplay, commissioned and premiered, March 2019 Spark Festival, Belfry Theatre, Victoria, BC
Paradise
15-minute miniplay, staged reading, March 2019 Brave New Playrites Festival, Vancouver, BC
GRAND OPERA (libretti for full-length opera with chorus for large venues)
2020
War in the Woods
Full-length libretto for full cast and large chorus. Created with SSHRC scholarship (2018-2019).
Received table read, 2022, Vancouver Opera.
CHAMBER OPERA (libretti for full-length chamber opera)
2017
Rattenbury
Libretto for opera telling story of architect Frances Rattenbury; his murder and the trial at the Old Bailey in London.
Concert version premiered 2012, Empress Hotel. 15-minute teaser version produced for Kings Head Theatre, London, September 2014. Full production premiered with Pacific Opera Victoria/Other Guys Theatre, Victoria BC, 2017
2015
The Vinedressers
Libretto for opera set in 1880s, Pelee Island, Ontario. Opera premiered 2001 (Belfry Theatre, Victoria) , and was subsequently produced in 2005 (International Kathaumixw Festival, BC), and 2015 (Highlands Opera Studio, Haliburton, Ontario)
2008
Nootka
Libretto for opera (in revision) about English and Spanish competing for ownership of First Nations land, Nootka, 1770s
Performed in concert version, 2008, International Choral Kathaumixw
SHORT CHAMBER OPERA (libretti for short chamber operas)
2016
Waterfront
Libretto for short one-act opera for 3 characters based on imaginary discussions in shuttle on the way to Mars. Premiered in Toronto and performed in many other Ontario venues, 2016, by Bicycle Opera Project, Canada.
2015
Bianchi, a five-minute bicycle opera
Libretto for 5-minute opera about two bicycles chasing another bicycle, using every
bicycle pun imaginable. Toured across Ontario and the Maritime provinces by Bicycle Opera Project, 2014, 2015
MUSICAL THEATRE (lyrics for music in theatre productions)
2017
Flotsam and Jetsam: Life on the West Coast
Words for folk songs depicting coastal BC's historic events and characters.
(Performed in Victoria, Burnaby, Nanaimo, 2015-17)
2015
Good Timber: Songs and Stories of the Western Logger
Words for folk songs depicting BC's historic logging characters.
(Performed in Victoria, toured Vancouver Island, other BC cities, and
the Pacific Northwest USA)
2013
Homeless (theatre) (workshopped)
Words for folk songs depicting homeless people creating community
CHOIR MUSIC (texts for commissioned, performed choral music)
2014
How Can We Be Down
lyrics for a music sung by massed choirs, rhythm section, and 75 ukuleles
Thunderbird and Whale
lyrics for choir, soloist, and chamber ensemble
2012
Dona Nobis Pacem
lyrics rearranged for a reinterpreted Dona Nobis Pacem in a Dave Brubeck style
Blue Green Water
lyrics for children's choir piece with featured soloist
2009
Torch Song
lyrics for choirs for the opening of the olympic torch procession, Victoria BC
Jump
lyrics for choirs singing at 2010 Olympic venues
Rejuvenation!
lyrics for massed choirs, in a gospel style
Vox Cubana
lyrics of made-up words for Cuban-inspired choral piece
Winding River
lyrics for a choir work describing rivers in the central USA
2008
Vox Inuit
lyrics of made-up words for choir piece depicting Inuit throat singing
Find Your Fortune
lyrics for BC's 150th celebrations, about gold mining in BC
2007
Bamfield 1902
words for choir piece that incorporates Sanford Fleming's first telegram sent around
the world
2006
Vox Tronica
invented words imitating techno music sounds for children's choir, Sung by choirs in festivals across Europe 2006-present
Koosen
lyrics for FN story of the bear (the big dipper) for choir piece in Melbourne, Australia
2005
The BC Song
Words for music sung by choirs across BC for the Vancouver/Whistler 2010 Olympic bid
2004
The Perfect Vase
words for large choral cantata with soloists, choirs, and orchestra
Harwood Suite
words for choral suite about coastal British Columbia
The Black Robes
words about the arrival of the first priests to the Sliammon First Nation
Hunker Down
words for mens' choir piece about a storm quickly approaching a BC coastal town
Hahm Kwu Y Tlauk Hahm Kwu e Metl
large cantata for choir, orchestra, dancers, elders, and soloists depicting the stories of
the Sliammon people
Whut Kwum!
large cantata for choir, orchestra, dancers, elders, and soloists depicting the stories of
the Sliammon people
