Theatre reunion puts spotlight on Arts Centre's 40th anniversary

“I’ve always been considered a ‘do-er’,” says DalTheatre alum Pat Henman, calling from her office at Selkirk College in Nelson, B.C.  

Ms. Henman (BA’81) is a driving force for the Department of Theatre Reunion this October, which will celebrate the department and mark the 40th anniversary of the Dalhousie Arts Centre.   

Originally from Waverley, N.S., she came to Dalhousie for the acting program through a scholarship from Canadian Veterans Affairs. Tentative at first, she soon found her feet.  “From my first week in class with [instructor] Angela D’Ambrosia, I knew this was so right for me. I felt at home.”

Over the next three years, her classmates became her soulmates and she “fell in love” with her instructors. David Overton became a mentor after graduation when Pat, along with a small group of classmates, formed Another Theatre Company (ATC).

“We did shows no one else was doing. We took risks and we gave ourselves amazing opportunities.” She says this experience gave her confidence to move in other directions – TV and radio – and counts her blessings for this opportunity.   

Other instructors who helped her along the way include Robert Merritt, Peter Perina, Alan Andrews, Ian Thompson and David Porter. “Having professional artists teach you, or just be willing to share their experiences with you, is worth its weight in gold.”

She also has fond memories of the department’s long-time secretary, Blanche Potter.  “She was our ‘mom’ away from home and I will always be grateful to her.” 

Getting the gang back together

Ms. Henman says the conversation of a reunion started when she and her theatre friends reconnected on Facebook. “Lots have made wonderful careers, not only as actors but as directors, designers, technicians, writers and hosts.”  She wanted to see them again.

Her timing couldn’t have been better. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Dalhousie Arts Centre, home to many theatre and music students during their time at Dalhousie.  

The reunion takes place over the weekend of October 14 and 15 with a reception, two performances of Canadian playwright Don Hannah’s While We’re Young, and a dinner and dance at The Carleton Restaurant on Argyle Street, which was the home of the Costume Studies program from 1994-2003.   

“This will be a really exciting weekend for the Dal Theatre Department,” says Department Chair Roberta Barker. “To be able to reconnect with generations of our friends and alumni is a great privilege, and most of all we’re looking forward to sharing the work of our current students with our past ones and to giving them all a chance to talk to and learn from one another.”

Tickets are available through the Alumni & Friends website or by calling FASS Alumni Officer, Krista Armstrong, at 902.494.6288.

A toast to the theatre

Performing may not be Ms. Henman’s day job anymore, but that doesn’t mean she’s stopped. 

Recently, she starred on stage in Into the Woods and alongside Jessica Biel in the 2011 thriller The Tall Man. She is a longtime volunteer drama/voice coach/director at her three childrens’ schools. And she is producing a solo CD to be released this year, which she describes as “funk and blues with a Motown feel.”

Her 30-year career has taken her across Canada but she will never forget Dalhousie or the foundation it gave her, personally and professionally. This is what she will be raising her glass to this October.

“I want to celebrate the department, our instructors, the amazing ‘family’ that comes from being in an intimate department…I want to learn from others, to hear their story, to hug old friends, laugh and cry and see the building where we ‘lived’ for three years.  I want to remember, for just two days.”

Revitalizing and expanding the Dalhousie Arts Centre is a top priority and ‘bold ambition’ for the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences. To learn more, visit the Bold Ambitions campaign website.