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 mini-play, 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 mini-play, commissioned and premiered, March 2019 Spark Festival, Belfry Theatre, Victoria, BC
Paradise
One-act play, staged reading, March 2019 Brave New Playrites Festival, Vancouver, BC
GRAND OPERA (libretti for full-length opera with large cast and chorus)
2020
War in the Woods
Full-length libretto (fictional, with reimagining of some true events) for full cast and large chorus. Created with SSHRC scholarship (2018-2019).
Received table read, 2022, Vancouver Opera.
CHAMBER OPERA (libretti for full-length opera with small cast)
2017
Rattenbury
Libretto for true story of architect Frances Rattenbury; his murder and the trial at the Old Bailey in London.
Concert version premiered 2012, Empress Hotel. 15-minute highlights version produced for Kings Head Theatre, London, September 2014. Workshopped Pacific Opera Victoria, 2017.
Full production premiered with Pacific Opera Victoria/Other Guys Theatre, Victoria BC, 2017
2015
The Vinedressers
Libretto for opera based on true events 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 based on true events, about English and Spanish competing for ownership of First Nations territories, Nootka, 1770s
Performed in concert version, 2008, International Choral Kathaumixw, featuring First Nations elders and performers
SHORT CHAMBER OPERA (libretti for short chamber operas)
2016
Waterfront
Libretto for mini-opera, set in the future in a 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 comic mini-opera about two bicycles chasing a third bicycle, using every stupid 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 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 historic logging culture and characters.
(Performed in Victoria, toured Vancouver Island, other BC cities, and
Northwestern USA)
2013
Homeless (theatre)
Lyrics for folk songs depicting homeless people creating community
Workshopped 2013, Belfry Theate
CHORAL MUSIC
2014
How Can We Be Down
lyrics for musical celebration, performed by massed choirs,
International Kathaumix Choral Festival
Thunderbird and Whale
lyrics for choir, and soloist, featuring Tla'amin First Nation Singers and Dancers
Blue Green Water
lyrics for children's choir piece with featured First Nations soloist Takaya Blainey
Premiered at EU Urban Youth Choir Festival, Örebro, Sweden
2009
Torch Song
lyrics for choir piece performed for the opening of the 2010 Olympic Torch Procession, Victoria BC
Jump
lyrics for children's choir piece, performed at 2010 Olympic venues
Rejuvenation!
lyrics for massed choir piece,
International Kathaumix Choral Festival
Vox Cubana
text of invented words for Cuban-inspired choral piece
Winding River
lyrics for a choir work describing rivers in central USA
2008
Vox Inuit
text of invented words for choir piece inspired by throat singing
Find Your Fortune
lyrics for choir piece sung in various BC locations for BC 150th celebrations,
relating to the history 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 and concerts across Europe and Asia 2006-present
Koosen
lyrics for "story of the bear" (the big dipper) for choir piece premiered in Melbourne, Australia
2005
The BC Song
Text for music sung by choirs across BC for the Vancouver/Whistler 2010 Olympic bid
2004 and earlier
The Perfect Vase
Text for large chorus and soloists
Harwood Suite
Text for choral suite based on naritives set in coastal British Columbia
The Black Robes
Text set on arrival of the first priests to the Tla'amin Nation territories
Hunker Down
Lyrics for mens' choir piece about BC coastal living
Hahm Kwu Y Tlauk Hahm Kwu e Metl
Text for choir and soloists depicting the stories of
the Tla'amin Nation, with Tla'amin elders, singers, dancers, drummers
Whut Kwum!
Text for choir and soloists depicting the stories of
the Tla'amin Nation, with Tla'amin elders, singers, dancers, drummers
ART SONG, ADDITIONAL ARIAS, POETRY
Various texts (list to be added here soon) LINK