Kamyar Pazandeh, Megan Leitch, and Caitriona Murphy. Photo Credit: David Cooper

The Piano Teacher

By Dorothy Dittrich

The Piano Teacher is a play about loss, love, friendship, and the healing power of music. When Erin, a classical pianist, experiences the loss of the life she knew, she finds herself dealing with the departure of her own musical expression. Navigating her way through this change, she meets an unconventional piano teacher who gives her new hope for the future. As Elaine gently reacquaints Erin with her instrument, other life changes naturally follow— not just for Erin, but for Elaine as well. The Piano Teacher is replete with lessons about moving through grief, friendships, music as a healing art, the temptation of self-deception, compassion, and love.

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“Moving and compelling. With this gorgeously written play, Dittrich has accomplished the remarkable. She brilliantly delves into a multi-layered exploration of love, loss, isolation and friendship, reaching beyond words to reveal the healing and redemptive power of music. She holds our hand on an unexpected journey through grief towards hope.”

Keith Barker, Marie Leofeli Romero Barlizo and Alex Poch GoldinPeer assessment committee
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"A beautiful meditation on loss and the healing power of music"

The Georgia Straight
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“A beautiful, intelligent exploration of the power of music and friendship”

Jo Ledingham
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“A beautiful, graceful and incredibly moving piece of theatre, filled with maturity and
thoughtfulness.”

David C. Jones
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“As a piece of writing, The Piano Teacher is an impressive accomplishment”

Colin Thomas

Production Details

1 Male

2 Females

110 minutes (including intermission)

By Dorothy Dittrich

Purchase Play Script

Production History

The Piano Teacher was commissioned and developed by The Arts Club Theatre Company through its Silver Commission program.

It premiered at The Arts Club Theatre Company BMO Theatre – April 26 – May 14 2017. The following fall The Piano Teacher was given an Arts Club Tour of theatres in BC’s lower mainland. It ran for October and November 2018.

The Piano Teacher will receive a production in Winnipeg at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre – Warehouse Plays – Feb 28 – March 16, 2024

Kamyar Pazandeh, Megan Leitch, and Caitriona Murphy - photo by David Cooper

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