Life Members

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.

Since 2007

Penny arrived at Powerhouse in 1975 and brought with her some great organization skills.

She was a member of the Board of Directors and served at President for several years.

She worked as a props person on numerous pantomimes.

She ventured on to the stage a few times, and was brave enough to tackle some difficult roles.

Penny produced many plays taking Play Memory to Halifax then all the way to Monaco!

Later she became involved with theatre at the Zone level and became Chair of the Theatre B.C. O Zone, then Vice President on the TBC Executive.

Jo Jones gave her first performance at the age of three, when she sang at a family wedding and was thrilled by the cheers she received! In 1971, when she and her family emigrated to Canada the UK-born Jo discovered the Powerhouse Theatre. From then on she became Actor, Director, Singer, Workshop Leader, Scenery Painter, Audience Usher, Coffee Pourer – oh yes – and Artistic Director. Her many projects included 1993’s “HMS Pinafore” (directing a cast of 39 singer/actors) and 2003’s 45-minute monologue in the role of Irene in “Talking Heads”. She devoted countless hours to the Powerhouse and “retired” in 2016 after directing her final comedy, “Having Hope at Home.” At the theatre she made lasting friendships, faced profound physical and emotional challenges in acting and directing, surrounded by much laughter, and amazing teamwork. Long may the Powerhouse generate its Magic!

Since 2006

John arrived at the Powerhouse from Saltspring Island shortly before 1994.

He already had an extensive background in life theatre so put it to good use right away and was able to apply his knowledge to the technical side of productions.

He also served on the Board as Treasure for many years.

John is also an experienced actor and appeared on stage many times. One of the most memorable was as Mr. Bardolph in Lettice and Lovage, which went on to Mainstage in Cranbrook. The audience there loved him so much that they applauded him every time he entered the green room for the rest of the week.

Since 2003

Willem came to Powerhouse in 1971 not long after arriving in B.C. He quickly became a valuable member helping to build sets for many of the productions. He soon became interested in the back stage area and started stage managing, which he did for dozens of shows, many that he took to festival, and one that he was part of was performed in Halifax and again in Monaco.

He even ventured on to the stage a couple of times, once as Herr Schwarz in Flea in Her Ear in 1973.

Willem was a Board member for many years and was missed when he left.

Since 2005

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. His on-going documentation of the Powerhouse on film is recognized as a valuable and impeccable asset to the theatre.

Susan joined the Powerhouse in 1986 and has been with the company ever since. Over the years she has acted in several productions playing everything from a woman who liked to light fires in Waiting in the Wings to the lovely Sister Gabrielle, a light hearted nun in Sisters.

She is very clever at creating props and does a fine job of set décor, and sewing costumes. She has also Stage Managed a number of shows. Thirty three years later Susan continues to be a very active valued member of Powerhouse!

Since 2019

‘Mo’ joined in 1991 and has been involved at Powerhouse in many areas.

She produced several shows over the years and was involved with creating Costumes, Programs and also Foyer Displays.

She appeared on stage in California Suite, Waiting for the Parade, Over the River and Through the Woods and It’s Snowing on Saltspring.

She was also the Business Manager on the Board for a while, and kept the Props Room in good shape for several years.  

Since 2019

Bob arrived in Vernon and came to Powerhouse just in time to be cast as Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley in 1992, and again as Scrooge himself in 2018. He also appeared in Snow White Christmas, Annie, Wrong for Each Other and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.

Bob’s main interest is sound. He has given workshops to our members, and some have gone on to use their new knowledge for plays themselves. He has created many wonderful sound designs for which he has received three awards at O-Zone and Mainstage festivals. Since 2019 he has been President of Powerhouse.

Val joined the Powerhouse Theatre in 1997, and since then has served as VP Facilities on the Board for most of those years. During that time she also produced fourteen shows and took eight of them on to the Okanagan Zone festivals!
Over the past twenty years Val was the one who was instrumental in finding the many dollars used for our various upgrades.

We can be thankful to Val for making sure our heritage building is intact and is still functioning as one of the best community theatres in the province.