Dorothy Jones continued from page 1

 

from the 1984 cast of Working; a framed
color portrait of her 19:0-1991 graduat-
ing class.

The decision to retire this summer, after
19 years, came to Jones late one rainy
autumn night.

"Last November I was driving home at

1 a.m. after a late rehearsal and I
thought, I don’t want to do this any
more," she recalled. "This is a field that
takes a lot of creative energy...It’s a good
time to leave when you feel good about
what you've done."

Over the last 19 years Jones has taken
the program from a one-year to a two-
year program, and from church hall base-
ments to a professional in-house theatre.

Along the way she produced and directed
hundreds of plays - everything from The
Drunkard, the first theatre production to
be staged in the College’s new perform-
ing arts theatre in 1983, to her 1992
swansong, David for Queen!

One of her favourite memories is of the
1984 production of Teahouse of the
August Moon.

"We needed a real jeep and a real live
goat on stage...We had to make arrange-
ments to get a jeep from the Fraser
Armoury...I had to sign all these docu-
ments to have Her Majesty’s jeep."

Until the College’s own theatre opened in
1983, Jones was often forced to create
magic in less-than-ideal conditions, includ-
ing church basements, high school audito-
riums, a bingo hall. "Everywhere except a
telephone booth," said Jones.

"It’s very hard to be taken seriously when
you're all over the place," she said. "It’s
rags to riches. We now have the best col-
lege educational facility for a theatre pro-
gram in the province."

With a head start from Jones, many of
her former students have gone on to ca-
reers as professional actors. In fact, 1992

was the third year in a row in which a
Douglas College student was accepted
into the prestigious National Theatre
School.

With that kind of reputation, Jones said
she feels ready to move on. She’s even
planning to get back into acting in
television and film.

Still, she admits there may be a pang of
regret when the fall semester rolls
around: "I’m sure on the first day of
classes in September I'll have to chain my
car, I’m sure it will want to back out of
the driveway."

ALSO RETIRING: AIDA MESHAKA-AZAB;
ANN FROST; JIM DAVIES; VAL MCBAEN.
Watch for their profiles in INside through-
out the summer. A

Did you know?

Walking is the fitness activity most recom-
mended by B.C. doctors.

The best part about this highly under-
rated form of exercise is that it’s safe for
people of all ages, and in any shape. It’s
also excellent exercise for pregnant
women.

With health care leaning more toward pre-
vention, walking is a natural: it’s import-
ant in preventing osteoporosis, improving
posture and reducing back pain.

Try scheduling time each day for a walk -
with your morning coffee or to rid your-
self of the after-dinner doldrums.

Two things to remember before you start:
drink plenty of water before, during and
after your walk - even if you don’t feel
thirsty.

And, most important of all, consult your
doctor before taking up any excercise,
even walking. &

Events Calender

 

Hi 3to 1 Artshow

Recent works by students from Capilano,
Kwantlen and VCC-Langara.

Jun 4 - Jun 25, Amelia Douglas Gallery
Opening Reception Jun 4, 7pm- 9pm

 

 

@ Student Society Barbeque

Jun 12, 411 pm - by the pond
Free for staff, faculty and students

 

@ Graduation Ceremonies

Jun 18 - 10:30 and 4:30
Gymnasium A

 

Special thanks

To organizers Wendy Davies,
Jean Easton, Doreen Kreschuk
and Christine Unterthiner for
all their hard work coordinating
Personal Development Day.

The speakers were interesting,
the topics relevant
and the food was just great!

Thank you !