Life Members

Lorraine Allum

Lorraine Allum is a founding member of Powerhouse. She and her husband Bill were in the first production.  Lorraine has served on the executive at various levels from secretary to president. She has worked backstage and tromped the boards whenever there was a part. Lorraine and her committee organized the office and archives and continue work in that capacity.   She has represented Powerhouse at the zone level, going on to chair the zone and then to Theatre BC’s board as vice-president.  Lorraine was presented with the Ozzie Award for service to the zone and the Eric Hamber Trophy for outstanding contribution to theatre in BC.  She is especially proud to be an honorary life member of Powerhouse.

Chris Bayne

Joined Powerhouse in September 1975. Has acted in various Pantomimes and Comedy productions . Served as a Director and President of TAC, member of the Building Committee and as Props and Business Manager for the Powerhouse Board. Chris has Tech produced, stage- managed, done sound and has helped to build numerous sets. More recently he has concentrated on Set Design for which he has won several zone awards and at Mainstage 2000 was awarded a Thespian for Best Set. Chris is currently serving on the Mainstage 2011 Committee  and is responsible for Facilities and Accommodation.

Penny Bayne

Joined Powerhouse in September 1975. Has worked backstage doing props, stage-managing, cleaning toilets etc. has helped with set décor, house  and has served as Admin and Tech producer on a few productions.  Produced Play Memory when it travelled to Victoria, Halifax and Monaco. Has acted in several plays and pantomimes.  Awarded Best Actress at the OKZone Festival in 1987. Has served on the Powerhouse Board as Vice –President and President .Has served as  Membership and Publicity Manager and has been Powerhouse Club rep on OKZ for a few years. Is currently serving on the Board of TBC as Okanagan Zone Chair and is also Co-Chair of the Mainstage 2011 Committee.

Mary Huggins

Founding Member & member since 1963. Recipient of the Eric Hamber award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre in BC. Mary's credits include 2006's award winning Festival entry The Beauty Queen of Leenane in which she played Mag a performance which earned her a Special Award from the OZONE Festival Adjudicator. In 2005 she directed Babes in the Magic Woods. In 2003 she directed Peter Pan. Few plays in PTS's illustrious 43 year history are missing the name of Mary Huggins.

Doug Huggins

Founding Member & member since 1963. Recipient of the Eric Hamber award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre in BC. Doug's extensive acting credits include: Madwoman of Chalott (1963), Widow Widout in Jack and the Beanstalk (1964), the Widow Crockett in Babes in the Magic Woods (1983 AND Nov. 2005), (Ed. note: he's very good when dressed in women's clothing), and designing numerous sets, most recently for The Beauty Queen of Leenane which was adjudged "Best Set Design" at Ozone Festival 2006

Jo Jones

Born and educated in England, Jo emigrated to Canada in 1971, and has lived in Vernon since then.  She has degrees in Modern Languages and Education, trained as a teacher, and taught French and English at V.S.S.  She closed her teaching career as teacher-librarian for five years at Beairsto Elementary.  Jo joined the Powerhouse in 1971, and has directed 13 plays, and acted in 26.  She put in three years as Artistic Director and won Provincial awards for both directing and voice.

David Jones

Since joining Powerhouse in 1971 David has enjoyed about 30 acting & directing roles, and supervised 2 theatre expansions/renovations.   He won the '96 Eric Hamber trophy for service to theatre in B.C.   Under Jo's firm direction he is recovering from a heartstopping drama in 2006, and recently played 'Mr.Grump' with Backstage Theatre.  He looks forward to trying out his Shakespearean skills in the future.

Dennis Learey

After giving a lifetime of service and dedication to amateur theatre, Dennis Learey was awarded a Life Membership in the Powerhouse Theatre. Dennis is now living in Vancouver.

John Lomas

John has been with the Powerhouse since moving to Vernon in 1994 and became a life member in 2006.   He has been President and Treasurer of both TAC and Powerhouse, and oversaw the amalgamation and development of our theatre constitution, as well as the financial aspects of the theatre expansion.    He has enjoyed numerous roles throughout the years, and can also often be found in the technical booth.

Sarah McLean

Joined the Powerhouse in 1964, and became a life member in 1988.    Received MVP Award from the City of Vernon in 1988.   Other awards include Best Supporting Actress, ‘Cell’ Mainstage 1975, Best Actress ‘Talking With..’  Mainstage in 1986, Best Director ‘Play Memory’ Zone Festival 1988, Best Set Design, ‘Play Memory’ Mainstage 1988, Best Actress ‘Lettice and Lovage’  Zone Festival and Mainstage,1994.   Sarah's technical credits, including stage manager and an amazing number of set designs, decor over 40+ years are a testament to her enthusiasm and dedication to the theatre.     Currently on the Artistic Director’s Committee of Powerhouse for 2008/2009 Season.

Willem Roell

Willem is known for his stage management capabilities over the years and his willingness to lend a hand whenever necessary.

John Sherwood

Emigrated to Canada in 1980 with his wife Mary, to retire. He and Mary joined Powerhouse Theatre soon after their arrival. While Mary helped out sewing costumes, working on set decor, house and box office when Powerhouse sold its own own tickets,  John helped with set construction and with the re-modelling of the upper dressing room. He was Treasurer of TAC for 19 years. John died in 2009.

Nancy Siver

Founding Member & Life member

George Siver

George is a founding member and was active in the theatre for 27 years before moving to Victoria. He helped build virtually every set during that time and was Secretary Treasurer of TAC for 13 years. His acting ability became famous in one play when he fluffed his one and only line: "Hello there". He also remembers his near death experience when rigging in the fly tower fell.

Wendy Stevens

Wendy has been one of the cornerstones of backstage productions at Powerhouse since 1971. Wendy is also an author, who wrote the successful production of “Aladdin and his Magic Lamp” and several editions of the history of the Powerhouse Theatre. Since joining she has served on the executive as President, Past President, Publicity Director and Secretary. She has also been the editor of Spotlight.  She has acted, produced, directed, stage managed, and done sound, lights, props, foyer, publicity, programs, preview and set décor.

Penny Thorburn

Dave Wallden

Dave first became interested in theatre in Prince George in the early 1970's.  Attending Mainstage in Prince George around 1973 he was blown away with Powerhouse Theatre's production of Rashomon, so when the family moved to Vernon in 1976 they became seasons ticket holders for Powerhouse and have been ticket holders every year since. In 1984 Dave purchased his first 35mm camera from Leigh Perry at the Bay, who said that Powerhouse needed a club photographer. Dave started taking photos and became a member.  Twenty four years later he’s still the club photographer and enjoys the many friendships he has developed at Powerhouse.  His ongoing documentation of Powerhouse on film is recognized as a valuable and irreplaceable asset to the theatre.  Dave became a life member in 2005.