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Tag: Joyce Doolittle

Joyce Doolittle’s Order of Canada Celebrated

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It was a day to remember for Joyce Doolittle. Surrounded by residents, family and friends, Joyce was recognized recently at United’s Garrison Green community for earning the Order of Canada.

She was named to the Order of Canada in January but received the award from Governor-General Julie Payette at a ceremony in Ottawa in September.

When she returned to Calgary, staff and residents were treated to a standing-room-only special event that honoured Joyce’s achievements in theatre.

“I’ve been very blessed to be able to work and create in an artistic area that I have loved my whole life,” said Joyce. “I am honoured to receive the Order of Canada. It is very special because of the recipients who have won it before. I’m in good company!”

Joyce and Eugene Stickland share a humorous moment
Joyce and Eugene Stickland share a humorous moment

Joining her for the event was good friend, author and poet Eugene Stickland, writer-in-residence at United’s partner, St. Mary’s University.

“Joyce has been a key figure in theatre in Calgary. She was instrumental in creating the theatre scene we have in Calgary today while also teaching at the University of Calgary. This included leading the drive to turn an old city water pumping station into today’s Pumphouse Theatre. When she retired, she turned to performing. When she turned 80 in 2009, she asked me to write a play for her – Queen Lear. That was the only time she performed in a play in the theatre named after her at Pumphouse Theatre.

Our friendship really consolidated after that. She is my mentor. I look up to her immensely. I can always go to Joyce. She is a deeply authentic person.”

Joyce remains modest about her lifetime achievements, but there is no doubt the impact she has had on Calgary theatre. Her clippings, posters and playbills speak for themselves.

Photo credit: Sherana Productions. Video credit: Rogers TV

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To learn more about life at United’s Garrison Green, watch this short video.

Joyce Doolittle Awarded the Order of Canada

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Pre-eminent Calgary theatre director, actor and writer, Joyce Doolittle, has been awarded the Order of Canada for “contributing to the advancement of theatre in Calgary through her pioneering efforts as a performer, teacher and leader.”

Joyce, who turns 90 this spring, came to Calgary with her husband Quenten in the 1960s. “At the time, there were amateur theatre groups but no professional theatre companies,” said Joyce. “So instead of working in theatre, I went to work at the University of Calgary teaching drama while Quenten worked there in the music department.”

Joyce Doolittle displays a photo of her performing in Death of a Salesman
Joyce Doolittle displays a photo of her performing in Death of a Salesman

Joyce was never content to produce or direct plays that had been done so often before. Rather, she looked for plays that were new, but that would attract an audience. “I always found Western Canada to be open to new ideas, so creating plays that showcased the talent of young actors yet also proved to be popular with audiences was my criteria when it came to deciding which plays to develop.”

Providing opportunities for young actors was a lifelong passion for Joyce. In the 1960s, she served as Canada’s representative on Assitej, the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People, which continues to operate in Canada and Europe.

Joyce in front of the theatre named for her
Joyce in front of the theatre named for her

In 1971, Joyce recognized a need to provide affordable space for new drama companies and for children’s theatre. She set her sights on an abandoned water pumping station on Calgary’s west side, which in 1972 became Pumphouse Theatre. Ten years later the small pump room was renamed the Joyce Doolittle Theatre. Last year, Pumphouse honoured her and Quenten at an event that also showcased their artwork – another expression of their artistic interest.

“I have always felt that theatre for children shouldn’t speak down to them. Children’s theatre should be aimed at the whole family and convey ideas that everyone can find useful regardless of age. I spent 20 years of my life improving conditions for young actors and ensuring that the quality of production is every bit as good as production for adults.” In this video clip, Joyce talks about her passion for children’s theatre.

Joyce and Quenten live at United Active Living’s Garrison Green community, which is a strong supporter of the arts in Calgary. She believes it’s this lifelong passion for young actors and theatre in Calgary that brought her to the Governor General’s attention as an Order of Canada recipient.

Joyce in Eugene Stickland's play Queen Lear
Joyce in Eugene Stickland’s play Queen Lear

“I like to think that I helped make a difference in the artistic climate in Calgary,” she laughs. “I’ve been a cheerleader for good theatre all of my life. I wanted to create a climate for new old stuff and good new stuff, and I’m very honoured to be recognized for those achievements!”

While she has earned a little down time, Joyce continues to work with young actors in Calgary. She will be lending her expertise to students of Bishop Carroll High School in Calgary through a partnership between United Active Living and the Alberta Music Education Foundation. The project is an inter-generational storytelling project combining music and drama.

“I’ve been very blessed to be able to work and create in an artistic area that I have loved my whole life,” said Joyce. “I am honoured to receive the Order of Canada. It is very special because of the recipients who have won it before. I’m in good company!”

Do you know a friend or family member who could benefit from living in a United community? Send them a link to our website or blog, or arrange a tour. We are happy to help! 

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A Tribute to an Inspirational Couple

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“Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – poet Robert Frost.

joyce-doolittle-with-theatre-sign-small-opThey met at Ithaca College in New York, married and came to Calgary in 1960 with their four children. Quenten Doolittle worked at the University of Calgary teaching strings and theory and Joyce Doolittle taught for 24 years at the University’s drama department. She was instrumental in creating the MAC 14 theatre on 1st. street S.W, which moved to larger space on 9th avenue and evolved into Theatre Calgary.

Joyce discovered an old brick building on the west side of Calgary – an old water pumping station slated for demolition. She started a petition and saved the building, turning into a home for young actors called Pumphouse Theatre. She was honoured for her work by having one of the theatres named for her.

Both Quenten and Joyce grew to become icons of culture, music, theatre and art in Calgary.

“I taught theatre for children and playwriting. I wanted this place to be a theatre for young actors, and it has turned into a great place for kids,” reflected Joyce. “A great many Calgary actors and playwrights got their start here.”

quenten-signs-elements-painting-small-op
Quenten signing his “Water” painting

Pumphouse hosted a evening for Joyce and Quenten to display their latest creative works – paintings. Quenten is a composer with a long history as principal violist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. He successfully married his love of music with his art, creating a large volume of work including a series called the fifth element, a collection of four paintings that envision the four elements, combined with musical notes from his compositions. “The fifth element,” he explains, ” is the performer.”

“Exploring a new art form was terrifying,” laughs Joyce. “But I soon discovered that art doesn’t have to be Rembrandt.”

Joyce is particularly grateful to have found a complete art studio in her new home at United’s Garrison Green. “I’ve seen places where they say ‘we’ve always done it this way’, or ‘you have to do it that way’. Here, you don’t have to do it like that. We have the freedom to express ourselves. I have the time now to work in the art studio where we both can try new things.”

quenten-with-viola-small-opQuenten treated the audience to a solo viola composition. He performed the composition earlier for Garrison Green residents. You can watch the video here.

Eugene Stickland, who won this year’s W.O. Mitchell award for his novel the Piano Teacher, has known the Doolittles for many years. He acted as MC for the evening, and interviewed them in front of the audience about their lives, and the theatre and arts scene in Calgary.

Eugene wrote a play – Queen Lear – especially for Joyce on her 80th birthday.

queen-lear

“Urban Curvz Theatre produced it right here and it was the only time Joyce acted in a major role in the theatre named after her,” said Eugene.

Proudest moments? “My life was so busy then,” said Quenten. “Four children, the CPO. How did we do it? But we did.”

“For me, there are many of those moments,” said Joyce. “I was so proud when Quenten played one of his compositions at Carnegie Hall. And playing Queen Lear in Eugene’s play. That was another big moment for me. For new actors I would say, don’t be afraid to try new things. Calgary is such a terrific city. We fell in love with it immediately when we arrived here in 1960. It’s such an open-hearted city and a thriving place for actors.”

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