The Magnus Theatre - The Dr. S. Penny Petrone Centre for the Performing Arts in Thunder Bay , Ontario was founded in 1971 and is Northwestern Ontario's professional theatre company.
21-560: Founded by British director Burton Lancaster, who had the idea to create a new theatre company with the help of Dusty Miller (the first Chair of the Arts and Heritage Committee of Thunder Bay, and former Mayor of Thunder Bay), and Carol Bell, (a former Hillcrest High School drama teacher), a citizen's coalition was formed. The original building was across from the Slovakian Hall in the famous East End of Fort William , now Thunder Bay. Although it
42-517: A citizen's coalition was formed. The original building was across from the Slovakian Hall in the famous East End of Fort William , now Thunder Bay. Although it was small and run-down, it had charm, enough space to house the stage and the essential facilities and it was available for rent. Eventually, Lancaster transformed this small hall at 639 McLaughlin Street into the full-fledged professional theatre company that Magnus has become. By 1977, it had become
63-474: A community-focused company and built the local audience base for mainstage productions. Following Tibor, Brian Richmond took over from 1982 to 1987 and established a high national profile for Magnus by producing new Canadian plays. Other theatres subsequently produced many of these plays across the country, firmly placing Magnus on the Canadian professional theatre map. In 1987, Michael McLaughlin took over and shifted
84-482: A high national profile for Magnus by producing new Canadian plays. Other theatres subsequently produced many of these plays across the country, firmly placing Magnus on the Canadian professional theatre map. In 1987, Michael McLaughlin took over and shifted the focus back to the community as he further established the local audience base. McLaughlin also initiated the successful Theatre in Education program to further develop
105-624: A newly built theatre attached to the historic Central School House, which houses Magnus' administrative offices, in Waverley Park heritage district. Central School was the first school in the City of Port Arthur . In 1884, 2 acres (8,100 m) of Waverley Park land were granted by the Crown to the Public School Trustees and the original structure was built. The renovation of the school also included
126-622: A school teacher at later at Canada House as a receptionist. They returned to the Thunder Bay region in 1954 and Miller became interested in the community's local theater scene. She became the artistic director of the Port Arthur Community Players (later the Cambrian Players) and held the position for nine years and directed many musicals and plays. Miller assisted Burton Lancaster in establishing Magnus Theater . She served as
147-402: Is the current Artistic Director of Magnus Theatre. Magnus inaugurated its 2001-2002 30th Anniversary Season in a newly built theatre attached to the historic Central School House, which houses Magnus' administrative offices, in Waverley Park heritage district. Central School was the first school in the City of Port Arthur . In 1884, 2 acres (8,100 m ) of Waverley Park land were granted by
168-590: The Chancellor's medal. From 1988 to 1998, Miller was on the Lakehead University Board of Governors. Miller was a founding member of the Lakehead Council for the Arts and Theater Ontario. Dusty Miller was elected as an Alderman in 1974. She served on multiple committees and was the chair of Thunder Bay's first Arts and Heritage committee. Miller was elected mayor in 1978 and served until 1980. She
189-490: The City of Thunder Bay, local businesses, and theatre patrons. Building upon Lancaster's initial vision, each successive Artistic Director has taken the Magnus reigns and strengthened the theatre's local and national profile. From 1977 to 1982, Tibor Feheregyhazi created a community-focused company and built the local audience base for mainstage productions. Following Tibor, Brian Richmond took over from 1982 to 1987 and established
210-618: The Crown to the Public School Trustees and the original structure was built. The renovation of the school also included the preservation and enhancement of the Waverley Park Heritage Conservation District and Magnus Theatre was renamed in honor of one of their generous patrons, Dr. S. Penny Petrone Centre for the Performing Arts. In 1998, Magnus received the Lieutenant Governor's Award for the Arts from
231-476: The Performing Arts in Thunder Bay , Ontario was founded in 1971 and is Northwestern Ontario's professional theatre company. Founded by British director Burton Lancaster, who had the idea to create a new theatre company with the help of Dusty Miller (the first Chair of the Arts and Heritage Committee of Thunder Bay, and former Mayor of Thunder Bay), and Carol Bell, (a former Hillcrest High School drama teacher),
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#1732877070616252-515: The dedicated work of the Organization's management and Board to supplementing the Company's operating support through innovative sponsorship initiatives and other fundraising campaigns. Dusty Miller (mayor) Eleanor Joan 'Dusty' Miller , OOnt (August 3, 1929 – February 14, 2012) was a Canadian politician who served as the first female mayor of Thunder Bay , Ontario from 1978 until
273-451: The end of 1980 when she was defeated. Miller was married to Lakehead University history professor Tom Miller. The couple was very active in the university community, and they along with other community members pushed for the school to offer degrees. Before her political activity, she was active in community theater. She is a member of the Order of Ontario . She died on February 14, 2012. Miller
294-527: The focus back to the community as he further established the local audience base. McLaughlin also initiated the successful Theatre in Education program to further develop the strong ties that Magnus and the community share. From 1992 to 2016, Mario Crudo placed his focus on the following areas: strengthening and broadening ties with the community, partnerships, generating new interest in mainstage productions, advancing new play development, and solidifying adult regional touring and other outreach programs. Thom Currie
315-467: The only professional theatre company between Winnipeg and Sudbury, and it was supported by the Canada Council, Ontario Arts Council, the City of Thunder Bay, local businesses, and theatre patrons. Building upon Lancaster's initial vision, each successive Artistic Director has taken the Magnus reigns and strengthened the theatre's local and national profile. From 1977 to 1982, Tibor Feheregyhazi created
336-522: The preservation and enhancement of the Waverley Park Heritage Conservation District and Magnus Theatre was renamed in honor of one of their generous patrons, Dr. S. Penny Petrone Centre for the Performing Arts. In 1998, Magnus received the Lieutenant Governor's Award for the Arts from the Ontario Arts Council Foundation. The award recognized the Organization's exceptional private sector and community support. This award certainly justified
357-468: The strong ties that Magnus and the community share. From 1992 to 2016, Mario Crudo placed his focus on the following areas: strengthening and broadening ties with the community, partnerships, generating new interest in mainstage productions, advancing new play development, and solidifying adult regional touring and other outreach programs. Thom Currie is the current Artistic Director of Magnus Theatre. Magnus inaugurated its 2001-2002 30th Anniversary Season in
378-413: The theater's manager for the opening season in 1972–1973. She also taught theater in high schools and taught various fine arts courses at Lakehead University and Confederation College . Miller and her husband supported Lakehead University in becoming “a full-degree course university” in the first half of the 60's. She then received a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1969 from Lakehead University and won
399-651: Was born on August 3, 1929, to parents William and Katherine Faircloth in Fort William Ontario. She was the eldest of seven children. Miller attended Peterborough Normal School for teacher training and taught in Port Hope Ontario for two years. In 1949 she married Tom Miller, and the couple moved to London England. They moved so Tom could attend the London School of Economics for the completion of his doctorate in history. Dusty Miller during this time worked as
420-438: Was small and run-down, it had charm, enough space to house the stage and the essential facilities and it was available for rent. Eventually, Lancaster transformed this small hall at 639 McLaughlin Street into the full-fledged professional theatre company that Magnus has become. By 1977, it had become the only professional theatre company between Winnipeg and Sudbury, and it was supported by the Canada Council, Ontario Arts Council,
441-552: Was the first female mayor after the amalgamation of Thunder Bay. After taking some time away from politics, she returned as a City Councillor in 1985 and served until 1991. Some of the projects Miller worked on during her political career include Marina Park , the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium , and the Neebing - McIntyre Floodway. Magnus Theatre The Magnus Theatre - The Dr. S. Penny Petrone Centre for
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