Life Members

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Lorraine Allum

Lorraine Allum is a founding member of Powerhouse. She and her husband Bill were in the first production.  Lorraine has served on the executive at various levels from secretary to president. She has worked backstage and tromped the boards whenever there was a part. Lorraine and her committee organized the office and archives and continue work in that capacity.   She has represented Powerhouse at the zone level, going on to chair the zone and then to Theatre BC’s board as vice-president.  Lorraine was presented with the Ozzie Award for service to the zone and the Eric Hamber Trophy for outstanding contribution to theatre in BC.  She is especially proud to be an honorary life member of Powerhouse.

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Chris Bayne

Joined Powerhouse in September 1975. Has acted in various Pantomimes and Comedy productions . Served as a Director and President of TAC, member of the Building Committee and as Props and Business Manager for the Powerhouse Board. Chris has Tech produced, stage- managed, done sound and has helped to build numerous sets. More recently he has concentrated on Set Design for which he has won several zone awards and at Mainstage 2000 was awarded a Thespian for Best Set.

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Penny Bayne

Joined Powerhouse in September 1975. Has worked backstage doing props, stage-managing, cleaning toilets etc. has helped with set décor, house  and has served as Admin and Tech producer on a few productions.  Produced Play Memory when it travelled to Victoria, Halifax and Monaco. Has acted in several plays and pantomimes.  Awarded Best Actress at the OKZone Festival in 1987. Has served on the Powerhouse Board as Vice –President and President .Has served as  Membership and Publicity Manager and has been Powerhouse Club rep on OKZ for a few years.Penny served on the Board of TBC as Okanagan Zone Chair and on the Executive of TBC as VP Communications 2011-2012.

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Dave Brotsky

Dave Brotsky has been with the Powerhouse Theatre since 1977 during which time he has acted, directed, designed and built sets, designed lighting and generously shared his knowledge and expertise with anyone who sought it. Now that he has retired from teaching we are hoping that he will continue to find time away from his production company, “Brotworks” to spend even more time with us.

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Mary Huggins

Founding Member & member since 1963. Recipient of the Eric Hamber award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre in BC. Mary’s credits include 2006’s award winning Festival entry The Beauty Queen of Leenane in which she played Mag a performance which earned her a Special Award from the OZONE Festival Adjudicator. In 2005 she directed Babes in the Magic Woods. In 2003 she directed Peter Pan. Few plays in Powerhouse Theatre’s illustrious 43 year history are missing the name of Mary Huggins.

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Doug Huggins

Founding Member & member since 1963. Recipient of the Eric Hamber award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre in BC. Doug’s extensive acting credits include: Madwoman of Chailott (1963), Widow Widout in Jack and the Beanstalk (1964), the Widow Crockett in Babes in the Magic Woods (1983 AND Nov. 2005), (Ed. note: he’s very good when dressed in women’s clothing), and designing numerous sets, most recently for The Beauty Queen of Leenane which was adjudged “Best Set Design” at Ozone Festival 2006

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Lorraine Johnson-Brotsky

Lorraine came to Vernon in 1978 with a background in Fashion Design and Pattern-making.  She discovered the Powerhouse Theatre and found it was a great place to meet people and ‘play’. She has created costumes for many productions, but particularly excels in making period and historical costumes.  As well as set design and decor painting,  she has been Spotlight newsletter editor and has worked in the theatre archives. Lorraine continues to share her expertise and work ‘behind the scenes’.

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Jo Jones

Born and educated in England, Jo emigrated to Canada in 1971, and has lived in Vernon since then.  She has degrees in Modern Languages and Education, trained as a teacher, and taught French and English at V.S.S.  She closed her teaching career as teacher-librarian for five years at Beairsto Elementary.  Jo joined the Powerhouse in 1971, and has directed 13 plays, and acted in 26.  She put in three years as Artistic Director and won Provincial awards for both directing and voice.

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Joan Karstensen

Joan Karstensen began her career with the Powerhouse theatre in 1985 doing Opening Night for
the production of “Fools” and has spent the subsequent 25 years on stage, and in many roles off stage, not the least of which has been to serve in a number of positions on the executive. Joan is a tireless contributor to the overall success of our theatre company and is a member who is truly worthy of receiving a life membership

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John Lomas

John has been with the Powerhouse since moving to Vernon in 1994 and became a life member in 2006.   He has been President and Treasurer of both TAC and Powerhouse, and oversaw the amalgamation and development of our theatre constitution, as well as the financial aspects of the theatre expansion.    He has enjoyed numerous roles throughout the years, and can also often be found in the technical booth.

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Sarah McLean

Sarah joined the Powerhouse Theatrical Society in Vernon BC in 1964. She is currently serving her 3rd year as club President a position she held from 1975- 77 and again in 1988. Sarah has been the Artistic Director for the club and has recently served on the Artistic Committee since 2008. In 1988 Sarah received the MVP Award from the City of Vernon and was also given a Life Membership in Powerhouse Theatre. Sarah receives the 2011 Eric Hamber Award >>

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Willem Roell

Willem is known for his stage management capabilities over the years and his willingness to lend a hand whenever necessary.

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George Siver

George is a founding member and was active in the theatre for 27 years before moving to Victoria. He helped build virtually every set during that time and was Secretary Treasurer of TAC for 13 years. His acting ability became famous in one play when he fluffed his one and only line: “Hello there”. He also remembers his near death experience when rigging in the fly tower fell.

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Wendy Stevens

Wendy has been one of the cornerstones of backstage productions at Powerhouse since 1971. Wendy is also an author, who wrote the successful production of “Aladdin and his Magic Lamp” and several editions of the history of the Powerhouse Theatre. Since joining she has served on the executive as President, Past President, Publicity Director and Secretary. She has also been the editor of Spotlight.  She has acted, produced, directed, stage managed, and done sound, lights, props, foyer, publicity, programs, preview and set décor.

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Dave Wallden

Dave first became interested in theatre in Prince George in the early 1970’s.  Attending Mainstage in Prince George around 1973 he was blown away with Powerhouse Theatre’s production of Rashomon, so when the family moved to Vernon in 1976 they became seasons ticket holders for Powerhouse and have been ticket holders every year since. In 1984 Dave purchased his first 35mm camera from Leigh Perry at the Bay, who said that Powerhouse needed a club photographer. Dave started taking photos and became a member.  Twenty four years later he’s still the club photographer and enjoys the many friendships he has developed at Powerhouse.  His ongoing documentation of Powerhouse on film is recognized as a valuable and irreplaceable asset to the theatre.  Dave became a life member in 2005.

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