Stage Lights and Stories: 50 Years of Theatre Antigonish

We begin with the man who started it all: James Colbeck , hired in 1974 by St. Francis Xavier University as an Artist-in-Residence. At that time, he was the only employee of the newly formed Theatre Antigonish. James envisioned a theatre where students could growthrough access to performance and mentorship — and that vision quickly expanded to include the wider community. From Medea to My Fair Lad...

In this episode, we hear from Jeannie MacKay-Smith , Artistic Director from 1977 to 1979. Her tenure may have been short, but it was nothing short of transformative. Reached on a mountaintop in Mexico, Jeannie reflects on a time of artistic ambition and cultural controversy — most notably her production of Jesus Christ Superstar , which was famously banned from the University Auditorium and later...

For our third episode, we welcome Addy Doucette , who led Theatre Antigonish through over 20 years of incredible growth and evolution. Addy nurtured generations of emerging artists and cemented the theatre’s role as a gathering place for students, families, faculty, and volunteers. Her vision was expansive — and her impact, lasting. Supported by administrator Marjorie MacHattie, and longtime colla...

In this episode, we sit down with Ed Thomason , who ushered in a new chapter for Theatre Antigonish. With a director’s eye for nuance and storytelling, Ed led the company in a more text-driven direction, moving away from the long tradition of annual musicals to explore different theatrical forms. His thoughtful and intentional programming reflected acompany evolving — one that continued to embrace...

Our final episode brings us to today, with Artistic Director Andrea Boyd . Andrea leads with empathy, integrity, and a strong commitment to equity and representation. She champions Canadian voices, prioritizes female playwrights, and has made space for underrepresented stories to be heard on the Bauer stage. In a time of transition and uncertainty, Andrea has held space for reflection, risk, and r...