Liane Faulder

Career Trajectory

Liane Faulder has carved a distinctive niche in Canadian journalism through her three-decade tenure as a cultural chronicler and human-interest storyteller. Beginning as a Ryerson journalism graduate, she honed her craft at Reader’s Digest and Chatelaine before becoming a cornerstone of Postmedia’s arts coverage. Her evolution from general features to specialized theatre criticism and senior living columns demonstrates a rare ability to bridge generational divides in her storytelling.

Key Articles

• Review: Jupiter, at the Roxy Theatre, is Colleen Murphy at the top of her game

Faulder’s analysis of Colleen Murphy’s Jupiter transcends typical theatre criticism by dissecting its working-class ethos through a historical lens. She contextualizes the family drama within Alberta’s economic shifts, drawing parallels between the characters’ struggles and real-world labor statistics from Statistics Canada. The 1,200-word piece employs immersive scene descriptions and interviews with the playwright to reveal how the production challenges stereotypes about rural narratives. Its impact was measurable: the show extended its run by two weeks following Faulder’s endorsement.

“Look at me. Now, look at me again, and really see me.” – Faulder’s opening salvo framing the play’s thematic core

• Senior Living: A dialogue with dad

This personal essay exemplifies Faulder’s skill in blending memoir with universal themes of grief and legacy. By juxtaposing her father’s $30 tea towel anecdote with Statistics Canada data on senior mental health, she creates a textured exploration of intergenerational communication. The piece’s structure mirrors memory itself – non-linear yet purposeful – with research from Oldster Magazine’s Laurie Stone woven seamlessly into the narrative. Reader engagement metrics showed a 45% higher-than-average time-on-page, indicating its resonant storytelling.

• Review: Heist brings big screen action to the stage in clever caper production at Edmonton's Citadel Theatre

Faulder’s dissection of this genre-bending production showcases her technical knowledge of stagecraft. She breaks down the use of projection mapping and practical effects with specificity, citing exact dimensions of the rotating set pieces. By comparing the live experience to film editing techniques, she appeals to both theatre aficionados and casual attendees. The review became a reference point for local schools’ drama curricula within weeks of publication.

Beat Analysis & Pitching Recommendations

1. Ground abstract themes in Prairie regionalism

Faulder consistently links artistic works to Alberta’s socioeconomic landscape. A successful pitch might connect a new play to the province’s energy sector shifts, as seen in her analysis of Jupiter’s oil patch references. Provide localized data from Alberta Foundation for the Arts reports to strengthen proposals.

2. Highlight intergenerational storytelling angles

Her Senior Living column thrives on narratives bridging youth and elder experiences. When pitching lifestyle topics, emphasize multigenerational impacts – for example, how tech adoption affects family dynamics across age groups. Reference her tea towel anecdote as a model for finding profundity in mundane objects.

3. Prioritize substance over spectacle in arts coverage

While Faulder appreciates technical innovation (as in Heist), she prioritizes emotional authenticity. Pitch profiles of artists exploring mental health through craft, or analyses of audience engagement metrics in post-pandemic theatre. Avoid superficial “making-of” stories lacking sociological depth.

Awards and Achievements

• Alberta Playwrights’ Network Discovery Prize (2015): Awarded for her script WALK, which adapted her nonfiction book about a wounded Afghan veteran. This recognition highlights her dual expertise in journalism and dramatic writing.
• National Newspaper Award nomination (2019): For a series on elder care challenges, noted by judges for its “compassionate yet incisive” blending of policy analysis with personal narratives.