Keeping it in the family.
The Langara College Theatre Arts Program, Studio 58, has been a staple of the Langara Campus community since 1970. We’re proud to shine a spotlight on the Drummond family who share a deep connection to Studio 58 and are now spreading their love for the arts across generations.
Laura and Brian Drummond met as classmates in the Studio 58 acting program. They graduated together in 1991 and were married in 1992. Together they pursued theatre, film, and television work, and toured with multiple Green Thumb Theatre productions. Laura continues to work as a performer in film and voice over as well as teaching, and Brian is known to be one of North America’s most prolific animation voice over performers.
Brian: I grew up on a thoroughbred racehorse ranch in Salmon Arm, BC, but fell in love with acting after being invited to do some amateur theatre with friends the summer I graduated from high school. A high school theatre teacher who saw my work said I should audition for this Vancouver acting school called Studio 58. So I did!
Laura: I spent most of my school years in St. Albert, Alberta, and had been in drama classes and community theatre as a kid and teen. I was really focused on wanting to learn how to be an actor and doing it well, so I came out to Langara College in Vancouver for a general audition for Studio 58.
But Brian and Laura couldn’t have foreseen how their relationship with Studio 58 would continue long after they’d graduated. Now two of their three children are also alumni: son Aidan graduated from the acting program in 2018, while daughter Brynna graduated from the production program in 2019 and returned to complete the acting program this spring.
Aidan: I grew up within the industry as a kid doing professional film, theatre, television and voice-over work for fun. I soon became fascinated to understand and learn more. How a film, tv series, or play is made and how each artist contributes to the final product intrigued me. Being lucky enough to watch a lot of talented people working in the industry helped a lot, and of course, the constant support from family who have a passion for the arts helped too.
Brynna: From a very young age I was immersed in the world of theatre & film. While watching many plays and movies with my family I gained an appreciation for the on and off-stage work that goes into storytelling. I wanted to be a part of that world in many different ways and my parents were nothing but encouraging along the way, ultimately leading me to Langara College and Studio 58.
Brian: It’s great to see they’ve found a passion for something that Laura and I have had for so many years. It’s comforting to know they are part of a community of passionate, inclusive, and caring artists.
Laura: The skills they have received from being connected to the arts through their lives as well as the experience of attending Studio 58 - hard work, empathy, collaboration, self-awareness, confidence - will serve them well no matter their path ahead. And the same goes for our youngest daughter, Ashlyn, who is not on an acting path, but had that world around here as she grew up.
Few know more about the importance of the arts than the Drummonds, who have built a life and family through and around Studio 58 and the Canadian artistic scene.
Laura: When you support Studio 58, you are making a generational impact on the arts, but also in people's lives. Be it through its plays, performances, artists, teachers, families of artists or audience members. Studio 58 impacts our world for the better.
Brian: It’s important to support the arts in every way possible. Educational institutions are an area that can always use support. Since Langara and Studio 58 are the closest to our hearts due to our history with them, it feels great to see their students continue to succeed.
We invite you to join us in shaping the next generation of theatre artists. Your involvement is not just an investment in Studio 58; it's an investment in the future of the performing arts. Support Studio 58 and make a donation.