Charlotte Fielden Morris

Fielden Morris (née Schrager), Charlotte

June 5th 1932-February 20, 2021

Passed away peacefully in Toronto in her 88th year. Predeceased by husband, William Morris and will be missed by her previous husband, Hubert Fielden. Beloved mother of Jerry (Michelle), and Thomas. Proud grandmother of Geoffrey (Yanique), Rachel (Matt), Anthony, Alexander and Gillan. Great grandmother of Liam, Logan, Emily, Caden and Roman. Predeceased by her parents Mae and Bernard. Predeceased by her sisters Eve and Leah, and her brother Ralph.

Charlotte Fielden, born in Toronto, had lived in Paris, Montreal, and North Carolina. She had written for stage, television, radio, and film, and her short stories and prize-winning poetry had been included in various anthologies and literary reviews.

Charlotte studied mime with Marcel Marceau in the 1950s, and was featured in the Stratford Festival of Canada with actors such as William Shatner. She provided the English dubbed versions for Claude Jutra's films Mon Oncle Antoine and Kamouraska.

After retirement, Charlotte returned to writing and publishing with 'Palatine Hill', a historical novel (2004) that spans over three hundred years of Canadian history, focusing on the Secord family, and centering on Niagara-on-the-Lake and the War of 1812.

Charlotte’s sixteenth and last published book, "Who Will Remember?," was about a group of seniors who participate in a clinical trial for Alzheimer’s in Mexico and find unexpected challenges, rewards, and fulfillment.

Charlotte received several awards, including;

The Epstein Award for Creative Writing (Poetry) from The University of Toronto
The University of Toronto Gold Medal in Theatre Arts
Canada Council Grants for Writing
The National Playwriting Award for A Play “Women for One Crowded Hour” in 1975
Ontario Arts Council Grants; Artists in the School (Writing)

She also had an abundance teaching experiences;

Artists in the Schools (OAC) & Canada Council National Tours
ZOW, The Zen of Writing: a catalytic workshop in creative writing
Improvisation & Mime (Melanie Theatre and in schools)
Basics to Bliss: a 6-week meditation course
Advanced meditation, metaphysics and masterminding
PLR (Past Life Regression) as a form of psychotherapy at Humber College
Stress management at Sir Sanford Fleming College, the Peel board of Education, the Government of New Brunswick, Glaxco Burroughs International, Yoga at The West End YMCA, Meditation in maximum security prisons, and Fielden’s creative writing workshop, the Zen of Writing, in women’s prisons.

Along with Charlotte’s teaching experience, she had some education and training:

BA in Honour English Language & Literature (University of Toronto)
A.R.C.T. (Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto) in Theatre Arts
The Marcel Marceau School of Mime in Paris, France
Certified Trainer in Human Resources (Canadian Board of Health Practitioners)
Relaxation Therapy (Relaxation Response Centre)
Meditation & Yoga

Charlotte also had acting experience in:

Television, Stage and Radio in Montreal, Toronto and the Stratford Festival

Roles in Jessica in The Merchant of Venice, Julie in Miss Julie, Julie in Liliom
Dynamene in Christopher Fry’s A Pheonix Too Frequent, leads in CBC television dramas, Susie the mouse in Chez Hélène (CBC – TV); mime performances on television, stage & in film

As well as a considerate amount of writing experience

Stage and Radio Plays

One Crowded Hour – Centaur Theatre with Helen Hughes; with Araby Lockhart in Toronto
Une Heure de Vie – Théâtre de Quatre Sous (Montreal) - French version of One Crowded Hour
The Honeymoon – Centaur Theatre, with Alan Mills
Old Friends – CBC radio adaptation of One Crowded Hour – with Helen Hughes and full cast
Saving Angel - 2007
The Matriarchs of Palatine Hill - 2010

Film and Television

CHEZ HELENE – CBC TV — children’s series
FAMILY COURT — CBC TV (Screen Gems)
VISITE AU QUEBEC – CBC TV (Fielden Productions) - educational youth series
BARBAPAPA – CBC TV – English version – children’s series
Dubbed English versions for Claude Jutra's feature films 'Kamouraska' and 'Mon Oncle Antoine'

Bibliography

Crying As She Ran - Macmillan of Canada, 1970
One Crowded Hour - Playwrights' Co-op, 1976 (First Prize, the Women's National Playwriting Competition)
Palatine Hill - CFM Books, 2004
Messages Like Memories - CFM Books, 2005
A Thin Place - CFM Books, 2006
Saving Angel, a play - CFM Books, 2007
An Age Without a Name - CFM Books, 2007
Fragrance of Thyme - CFM Books, 2008
The Wolves of Positano - CFM Books, 2010
Beads on a Fragile String - CFM Books, 2011
The Story of Marly Mansion - CFM Books, 2012
Travelling Together - CFM Books, 2013
The Somerset Strangler - CFM Books, 2014
Beholder - CFM Books, 2015
Ross Castle Murders - CFM Books, 2016
Who Will Remember? - CFM Books, 2018

Charlotte was a founding member of both the Writers' Union of Canada and the Playwrights Guild of Canada. She was also the founder & co-artistic director of Melanie Theatre (Montreal) - 1970’s and Co-founder & producer of Fielden Productions Film Co. (Montreal) - 60’s & 70’

Special thanks to the staff of Isabel and Arthur Meighen Manor, her friends at Toronto Libraries and at Tichester Gardens, and to her loving niece Dana and her partner David for everything they have done for Charlotte for the past few years.