Jun 22, 2010

Vancouver, BC - Kathryn Shaw, Artistic Director of Studio 58, the professional theatre training program at Langara College, is the 2010 recipient of the Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance (GVPTA) Career Achievement Award given out at the Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards last evening.

“It truly is an honour to be recognized by the professional theatre community with the Career Achievement Award.  I said in my acceptance speech that the two best decisions I made in my life were moving to British Columbia in 1972 and going to see Antony Holland about teaching for Studio 58 at Langara College in 1974.  As a result of those decisions I landed in the middle of a burgeoning theatre community brimming with opportunity and I found the place to exercise my passion for teaching future professionals.  I am proud of our community and the way in which it has continued to flourish in spite of  a myriad of difficulties.  It has gotten bigger and better!  My profound thanks to all who have inspired me over the years - my colleagues at Studio 58, the artistic directors, general managers, designers, directors, actors, backstage folks and most of all,  my students both past and present.” - Kathryn Shaw

Shaw has taught at Studio 58 since 1974 and been at the helm for more than 25 years. As a result, Studio 58 has flourished, becoming one of the finest professional theatre training programs in North America.

"What makes Kathryn a vibrant and dynamic force within the theatre community, is her open-mindedness to all forms of theatre, and to the diversity of its creators. She is an extremely active theatre-goer who does not discriminate; she attends cutting-edge, international works with the same commitment she has to contemporary Canadian plays. Besides her exquisite teaching, Kathryn champions the empowering potential of self-created original work which manifests in many wonderful ways at Studio 58. Furthermore, Kathryn never stops promoting, guiding, and passionately supporting her graduates in their pursuits outside of school, and continues to be a lifelong colleague and consultant to those of us she has trained."
- David Hudgins, Associate Director & Graduate of Studio 58

"Own the Stage" was the theme of the 28th Annual Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards at the Commodore Ballroom, the awards ceremony honouring Vancouver’s vibrant theatre community and its artistic achievements. Vancouver Theatresports, producer of the event, used their ingenious talents and created an entertaining and fast-paced show honouring theatre companies large and small. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees.

Media contact:

Sherri Sadler
Manager of Communications
Studio 58
604-323-5652
ssadler@langara.bc.ca