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Irene Buckle

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN
SMALL CITY THEATRE
I grew up in a small town in the South Okanagan, where the closest thing to live theatre I
experienced was reading plays aloud in English class. When I arrived at Simon Fraser University, I was
introduced to the magical world of stage and attended every production my limited student budget
allowed.
I began teaching in Kamloops in 1972
and was delighted to find thriving theatre
programs in the high schools and an active
community interest. The founding of The
Western Canada Theatre Company seemed
a natural and logical next step. By this time I
had two children with another on the way,
so money for theatre tickets was not always a
priority, but I went when I could.
As my children grew, I began taking
them with me to special productions. I worried
they might become bored and disruptive but
they surprised me. My shy eldest daughter
was fascinated by the sets and costumes, as is
her daughter. My son loved by the technical
side of things. I was barraged with questions.
How do they make that move? How do they
create that sound? He continued this interest
as a stage hand through school. Even though
he no longer has any involvement, he became
an electrician and he now takes his sons to
the theatre and can actually answer all their
questions.
My two youngest daughters were performers through and through. If they had had their way, they
would not have missed a single production. Public speaking, debating, creative writing, in elementary
school, and then high school drama: they did it all. From the day each walked on to the Sagebrush Theatre
stage at about age four, she was hooked. One went on to major in English and minor in theatre at university
and now teaches at Georgian College in Ontario. The other uses her performing skills to work with youth
in trouble; she leads workshops and speaks to groups of student about the choices they make.
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ISSN 1918-4492

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If none of us had ever seen a live production, I’m sure my children would have all grown up to
become happy and successful people. However, the theatre influenced our view of the world, enriched our
experiences and, in at least two cases, guided our choice of profession.
Now I take my grandchildren with me. My eldest granddaughter is off to university this fall,
hoping to follow in her aunt’s footsteps. My youngest daughter’s son came with me to be interviewed
as part of the It’s your Cue study. While he has always like watching plays, the look on his face when he
stepped on that stage said it all: another one is in love with the theatre.

http://smallcities.tru.ca

ISSN 1918-4492