Apr 3, 2023
Vancouver, BC — Studio 58, the professional theatre training program at snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College, has reopened the doors to its freshly renovated theatre. This project saw the replacement of the seats, upgrades to the stage manager booth, the creation of additional storage space, and improvements to the entrances and surrounding spaces.
“Studio 58 is one of Canada’s leading professional theatre training programs, and the new seats and theatre renovation are instrumental to the development of our students and for welcoming patrons,” shared Courtenay Dobbie, Artistic Director of Studio 58. “It is with tremendous gratitude I wish to thank all the support and hard work of many individuals on this project.”
“This renovation has brought our theatre up to a high standard, which will allow us to prepare our students fully for the theatres they will encounter in the professional world,” said Kevin MacDonald, Technical Director at Studio 58. “Studio 58 still retains all the wonderful character our theatre had but now with a bit more polish."
This renovation was made possible through the generosity of many donors through Studio 58’s Seat Campaign along with the support of snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College. The support of Langara’s Senior Leadership Team, including Paula Burns, President and CEO; Margaret Heldman, Vice-President, Academic; Michael Koke, Vice-President, Administration and Finance; Jane Mason, Vice-President, People and Culture; and Yusuf Varachia, Vice-President, External; Darren Bernaerdt, Acting Dean of Arts; Alena Buis, past Interim Division Chair Creative Arts & Industries; Spencer Dane, Interim Division Chair, Creative Arts & Industries; Dwayne Doornbosch, Director, Facilities; Zoran Ivanovic, Facilities and Space Planner; Scott Stuart, Construction Supervisor; Heidy Rahnumah, Development Officer; Moira Gookstetter, former Executive Director, Langara College Foundation; Shahin Virji, former Development Officer; and the City of Vancouver was instrumental to all aspects of this project.
Patrons can experience the upgraded theatre and new seats during Studio 58’s show The Kitchen, on from March 30-April 9, 2023. Plus, Studio 58’s 2023/24 season will be announced in June.
About Studio 58
Studio 58 is the professional theatre training program at Langara College, located on the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nation, Vancouver, BC. Led by Courtenay Dobbie, the program offers nationally recognized training for both actors and production personnel and produces six public productions annually. More information at studio58.ca.
About snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College
Located in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., Canada, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College provides university-level education to more than 19,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path. Langara is also known as snəw̓eyəɬ leləm, 'house of teachings', a name given to it by Musqueam, on whose unceded traditional territory the College is located.
Learn more.
Mark Dawson
Manager, Public Affairs
Langara College
mdawson@langara.ca
PHOTO: The Studio 58 theatre as it appears after the installation of new seats (top), during renovations (middle), and the final renovated seats (bottom).
