UNews - Brian Parkinson

Long Service & Retirement Recognition Ceremony

trevor.kenney — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:44:43 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is holding its annual Long Service Awards and Retirement Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 9 at 1 p.m. in the Students' Union Ballrooms.

A total of 103 employees, including 20 retiring employees and those who have completed 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service, will be honoured.

All employees are invited to the ceremony and reception to honour the award recipients listed below. The reception will include light refreshments.

Retirees

Nola Aitken, Pat Anderson, Bill Cade, Maria Draper, Carol Gaetz, Mary Anne Hellinga, John Johnston, Cindy Kabelka, Frank Klassen, Michael Kubara, Christina Lastuka, Rita Law, Kathy Lee, Marg McKeen, Bruce McMullin, Shari Platt, Charlene Sawatsky, Richard Tedesco, Barbara Wolstoncroft and Joan Zimmer

Long Service Recipients

40 Years

Lois Boras and
Jean Mankee

35 Years

Barbara Dickinson, Heather Mirau and Brian Parkinson

30 Years

Rene Barendregt, Annette Bright, Peter Heffernan, Barb Hodgson, Kurt Klein, William Krysak, Judy Lacey, Phill Lema, Valerie Richardson, Kim Selk and John Vokey

25 Years

Candace Dueck, John Eng, Frank Klassen, Sheila Lowe, Fiona Randle, Thomas Staples, Greg Tompkins, Kelly Vaselenak, Peter Visentin and Diana Young

20 Years

Lynn Ambedian, Robin Bright, Naomi Cramer, Mary Dyck, Rod Gelleny, Michael Kern, Judith Kulig, Rick Peter, Robert Runte, Sandy Slavin, Maxine Tedesco and Jeff Vucurevich

15 Years

Dwayne Armstrong, Mara Baldwin, Kerry Bernes, Lesley Brown, James Clark, Tom Doyle, Larry Flanagan, Carolyn Gaebel, Cam Goater, Bradley Hagen, Rob Johnson, Ed Jurkowski, Angela Luck, Goldie Morgentaler, Dan O'Donnell, Kent Peacock, Brent Selinger, Marlo Steed and
Nicole Wilson

10 Years

Peter Alward, Christine Anderson, Ebenezer Asem, Roberto Bello, Shawn Bubel, Kris Caldwell, Michael Campbell, Connie Chaplin, John Claassen, Melanie Collado, Dagmar Dahle, Alesha Farfus-Shukaliak, Bev Garnett, Daya Gaur, Joanne Gedrasik, Betsy Greenlees, Trevor Harrison, Linda Janz, Sharon Kanashiro, John Kometz, Igor Kovalchuk, Olga Kovalchuk, Bette Jo Kulak, James Linville, Douglas MacArthur, Claudia Malacrida, Kyla McFadden, Jacqueline Montain, Mandy Moser, Bob Muskovich, Janice Newberry, Tammy Paskuski, Jill Payant, Wilf Roesler, Edward Sandzewicz, Daryl Schacher, Darren Schell, Arlan Schultz, Daniela Sirbu, Debbie Tarnava, John Usher, Derek Vincent, Bernie Wirzba and Cindy Yee

Parkinson discovers a mentor, launches a career

trevor.kenney — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:18:01 +0000

Thinking back, Emma Parkinson (BMus '08), up-and-coming mezzo-soprano with Opera de Montréal, remembers growing up in a household filled with music.

"My dad (Brian Parkinson) is a drama professor at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and my mom is an elementary school teacher. My older sister and I grew up playing piano, taking dance lessons and putting on little plays for our family. I loved it, the performing, the singing, the dancing, all of it really," recalls Parkinson. "My parents always had music of all different genres going on in the house, but I actually hated opera when I was growing up. It was the one type of music that would make me run out of the room."

Emma Parkinson followed her father, drama professor Brian Parkinson, to the U of L.

Parkinson spent her high school years singing with the LCI Chamber and Jazz choirs. During her last year of school, the choir went to Europe, singing its way through the south of France, Italy and Austria, an experience she describes as fantastic. After graduation, she enrolled in music at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, but remained unsure if she would enjoy studying solo voice until a summer workshop at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia turned her aversion of opera into a passion.

"It was a one week workshop filled with people of all ages, many of whom were more advanced singers. My eyes were opened seeing all these different pieces of opera coming to life. It was at that point that I realized opera was such a perfect combination of theatre and music," she says. "It just sort of came together for me and I remember thinking, 'wow, I really want to do that. I need to do that'!"

With this newfound passion, Parkinson continued her musical journey as a voice student at the U of L, working under the direction of well-known tenor and music professor Blaine Hendsbee. Hendsbee turned out to be the perfect mentor for Parkinson, balancing high expectations with great support.

"I had taken a couple of voice lessons with Blaine before I auditioned for studio at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, so when I found out that he selected me for studio I was really happy. He is my mentor forever and always. He is so passionate about opera; he really inspired me to stretch and grow, and he helped me come out of my shell and find my voice as a soloist. He has a professional quality and is very encouraging but still firm. He demands a very high standard, which is exactly what you need when you are pursuing any sort of art form," says Parkinson, who made the most of her time as an undergrad, participating in several music and drama co-productions and singing with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Singers.

"Because the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has a smaller program in terms of numbers, I was able to grow and blossom as an individual. I received opportunities that a larger school wouldn't provide, which put me at an advantage when I started my graduate studies. I got my first role in the U of L's production of Mikado. My dad was the director; I felt very privileged to work with him. He was very professional and it was nice to watch him work," says Parkinson. "I remember the first time performing Mikado on stage; I was ecstatic because we had these incredible costumes and an orchestra and I loved the overdramatic, evil-witch character I got to play. We had worked so hard to get to opening night that I wanted to go out there to have fun and entertain. I felt over the moon when the curtain dropped!"

Parkinson, singing Carmen in La Tragedie de Carmen from the Banff Centre Opera as Theatre Program in 2009. Photo by Donald Lee

It is a feeling that has stayed with her throughout her busy musical career. Parkinson graduated from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ with a BMus in 2008. She earned her master's of music in opera performance in 2010 from McGill ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, during which time she starred in multiple operas and oratorio concerts. After her master's she auditioned for a two-year young artist training program, Atelier Lyrique of Opera de Montréal, one of only four such training programs available in Canada. She will complete the program with them in June. This summer she is excited to fulfill her first international professional contract in Berlin, where she will spend two months playing Mercedes in a new production of Carmen.

"The marriage of music and theatre is like nothing else and I really love it. I feel so lucky to spend my day working on beautiful music, singing beautiful music and performing it. At the end of the day, I can't imagine working on anything else."

GET THE FACTS

Parkinson has performed as a soloist or character role in more than 25 productions

In December 2011, she participated in a 14-day concert tour of China, singing with the Montreal Youth Symphony Orchestra

In 2011, she was awarded the Prix Jeune Espoir Lyrique Canadien, as well as the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques Laureate honours

This year, she is preparing for roles as a soloist in Rossini et Ses Muses (with Atelier Lyrique), and Siebel in Faust (with Opera de Montréal)

This story first appeared in the March 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Parkinson discovers a mentor, launches a career

trevor.kenney — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:53:15 +0000

Thinking back, Emma Parkinson (BMus '08), up-and-coming mezzo-soprano with Opera de Montréal, remembers growing up in a household filled with music.

Emma Parkinson followed her father, drama professor Brian Parkinson, to the U of L.

Parkinson, singing Carmen in La Tragedie de Carmen from the Banff Centre Opera as Theatre Program in 2009. Photo by Donald Lee

GET THE FACTS

This story first appeared in the March 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Shakespeare's best on stage

trevor.kenney — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:04:22 +0000

Hamlet is the culmination of Shakespeare's profound genius at the height of his career as a playwright. It is synonymous with the classic conception of theatre; from its unforgettable imagery to its moving poetry and poignant plot.

Hamlet takes to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre stage Feb. 14-18 with performances at 8 p.m. nightly.

Directed by Brian Parkinson, Hamlet is a production that requires tremendous resources, research and creative consideration.

Shakespeare's Hamlet, under the direction of Brian Parkinson, plays Feb. 14-18 in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre.

"Hamlet is the pinnacle production in a director's career; it's the kind of play on every director's bucket list. It is the ultimate directing challenge because it is comprised of so many layers," says Parkinson.

Revenge, deception, incest, love and murder are some of the themes knitted throughout Shakespeare's script. It is also the longest of Shakespeare's works, and as such, poses numerous challenges for directors and actors.

"There isn't a single production of Hamlet that has the same script," Parkinson says. "Director's change and cut components of it, making bold choices to keep audiences riveted. In preparation, I worked for many months on the version we are using – a combination of all three editions – First Quarto, Second Quarto and First Folio. I'm confident we have a script that will engage our audience."

His father murdered and his mother remarried to the uncle he suspects of the killing, Hamlet's world has been turned upside down and into uncertainty.

Struggling to understand how this world and his mother are able to move on, Hamlet, tormented with loathing and consumed with grief, plans to avenge his father's death.
MFA candidate David Barrus designed the world in which Hamlet's tragedy unfolds.

"Barrus has created a superb setting that can infer multiple places," says Parkinson. "Our interpretation is modern; from the costumes designed by Leslie Robison-Greene to the modern weaponry, but it all exists on a very neutral stage. We've transported Hamlet's origins from ancient Denmark to an interpretation of a royal family of today.

"What interests me is framing the play in a contemporary context, so that it is relevant and understandable to the audience."

Tickets are available at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office, Monday through Friday, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. or by calling 403-329-2616. Tickets are $15 regular, $10 for seniors and students.

Parkinson pushes growth of theatre community

trevor.kenney — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:40:41 +0000

Brian Parkinson, a professor in the Department of Theatre and the Dramatic Arts and associate dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, saw potential in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge when he first arrived on campus more than 30 years ago. He quickly recognized the growth that was possible for the dramatic arts and has been a leader in both establishing a theatrical culture on the U of L campus and taking that to the broader southern Alberta community.

With more than 150 productions to his credit, Parkinson has directed in both academic and professional companies in both England and Canada and he was the founding director of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's TheatrXtra summer stock company that now operates as a student focused second season in the Department of Theatre & Dramatic Arts. For the department's Mainstage season, Parkinson has directed a significant number of productions including, in recent years, Arcadia, Into The Woods, The Lark, The Mikado and Macbeth.This spring he is directing Shakespeare's Hamlet (Feb. 14-18).

Parkinson has worked for many years at establishing professional theatre in southern Alberta and his productions have played in both Alberta and British Columbia. He was the founding artistic director of Fort MacLeod's Great West Theatre and directed the company for seven years before becoming the founding artistic managing director of Lethbridge's New West Theatre Company. During his nineteen years in this position, he also directed the majority of the company's productions.

Parkinson is a past board member of both Theatre Alberta and the Canadian Association for Theatre Research. He has been a nominee for both the Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management and for the Lt. Governor of Alberta Arts Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts. For his work with New West Theatre he was awarded the Alberta Centennial Gold Medal.He has also been recognized as one of the 100 Alberta theatre practitioners who, over the past century, have made a significant and lasting contribution to Alberta's theatrical heritage.

Stepping aside not easy; but it is the right time

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:36:20 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Bill Cade chats about what's happening in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community

As most of you know, I announced in March that I would be stepping aside as President of our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ when my current term expires at the end of June 2010. This was not an easy decision and one that Elsa and I gave much consideration.

I absolutely enjoyed my time here and if there's ever an example of leaving when you want more, this is that situation. This is a very good place to be President and while I love the job, I know that change will be good for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and for us.

My term, however, is far from being over and I'm excited about my final year as President. I will follow closely the process of finding a successor and when that person is identified, work to make the transition as smooth as possible. Dr. Howard Tennant was especially generous in helping with my introduction to the position. His approach was that if I wanted advice, he would give it to me. He would not push advice on me unless I would go to him and ask, and my intention will be to offer that same support.

I have great confidence in our Board of Governors and the Presidential search committee as they begin the process of finding a new President. I am also secure in the knowledge that this job will attract some excellent candidates with very good experience. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is in great shape and this will be a real career opportunity for someone, as it was for me.

Many people have asked what I will do following the end of my term. I expect I will spend the first couple months back in San Antonio, Texas, decompressing and visiting with family and friends.

After that, I will turn my focus back to my crickets and the research interests that have been on the side burner for some time. I still have three years left on an NSERC grant for research and with ongoing projects in Texas, southern Africa and the Hawaiian Islands, I am looking forward to getting my hands dirty again in the field.

Of course, I'll be back at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for the opening of Markin Hall in the fall of 2010. I would not miss this opening as I think it is one of the most significant events in the history of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. I love the way the building is taking shape, how it looks from across the river and how it complements the horizon.

Eventually, I would love to be back in the classroom; that would be a real thrill. I think it would require a lot of effort on my part because much has changed over the last 10 years, but it would also be very stimulating. To have the thrill of being in the classroom with students again, I can't imagine a better way to end one's career.

Congratulations to those who were honoured at the recent Pronghorns Blue and Gold athletics banquet. I'd also like to congratulate director Brian Parkinson and the cast of Arcadia for their wonderful presentation of the Tom Stoppard classic.

A very significant groundbreaking ceremony is occurring Apr. 15, as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ begins construction of its campus daycare facility. I invite everyone to attend this important event.

In closing, good luck to all students as you write your final exams in the coming weeks.

Weekend events include Blue and Gold

trevor.kenney — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:42:05 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorn Athletics will take centre stage tonight with the annual Blue and Gold banquet in the Students' Union ballroom.

Male and female athlete of the year awards will be handed out as well as individual team honours. Expect the women's rugby team, two-time CIS national champions, to be highly decorated, as well as track star Jim Steacy, who capped off a perfect CIS career with two more national gold medals in the shot put and weight throw events.

Elsewhere on campus, the weeklong run of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia concludes with shows Friday and Saturday nights, 8 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre. Directed by Brian Parkinson, Arcadia is considered one of the most brilliant plays of the 20th century.

The Alberta Water and Environmental Science Building serves as host site for Dr. Scott St. George's presentation, Through the Trees, Friday afternoon, 2 p.m. in room WE1001.

The Prairies are Canada's most significant dryland area and regional drought has an enormous impact on agricultural and energy production and the reliability of public water supplies. In this presentation, Dr. St. George will describe how tree rings have been used to describe the behavior of climatic and hydrological systems beyond the limited perspective offered by instrumental measurements.

The issue of vaccination risk and immunity will be explored Saturday morning, 10 a.m. in room PE250 as Mary Tocco, an independent vaccine researcher, gives a presentation. Tocco will discuss vaccine ingredients and injuries, as well as address myths around vaccines and talk about natural immune development.

Tickets for Vaccination Risk and Immunity are $10 each and available by calling 403-331-3301.

Professor Aaron Taylor and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Film Club are presenting their final screening of the semester Sunday evening. The 1955 film, Night of the Hunter, will be shown, 7 p.m. in PE275.

Arcadia begins run Tuesday night

trevor.kenney — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:24:43 +0000

Arcadia has been dubbed one of the most brilliant plays of the 20th century and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge audiences will get their opportunity to experience it beginning Tuesday night. Arcadia, by Tom Stoppard, debuts at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre at 8 p.m. and runs through Saturday evening.

Part detective story, part love story, and part farcical comedy with mathematics, literature, landscape gardening and chaos theory thrown in, this intellectually demanding, emotionally satisfying, and delightfully entertaining play promises to give patrons a little bit of everything.

"I love this play," says director Brian Parkinson. "It's about ideas and relationships, the characters are complex and multifaceted, and the dialogue is incredibly witty, clever, and engaging. I'm also fascinated by how Stoppard manipulates the time, space and action."

Parkinson recalls taking his daughters to the play when they were in their mid-teens and having them discuss and recount the play for weeks after.

"It really made an impression," he says.

The play bounces back and forth between 1809 and the present at the elegant Coverly family estate. The 1809 scenes reveal a household in transition. The Arcadian landscape is being transformed into picturesque gothic gardens, and the 13-year-old Lady Thomasina and her tutor are delving into intellectual and romantic issues. The present day scenes depict the Coverly descendants and two competing scholars researching a possible scandal at the estate in 1809 using quite different methods.

"Arcadia really pokes fun at academia's need to reconstruct a history that is often wildly at odds with the truth," says Parkinson. "A lot of misrepresentations and misinterpretations get peeled away during the play."

Preparing as complex a play as Arcadia for the stage is a challenge. The cast of 12 had to refine British accents, work on intricate timing, and play well-rounded characters that aged from early teens to middle-age.

"The actors rose to the challenge and the experience will stand them in good stead in their future careers," says Parkinson.

Tickets for Arcadia (Mar. 31 through April 4, 8 p.m. nightly) are priced at $15 for regular admission and $10 student/senior. They are available at the U of L Box Office (403-329-2616).

Matson willing and able to play any part

trevor.kenney — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:59:19 +0000

Sheila Matson is adept at playing a variety of roles, whether professionally or on stage. This has served her well in a three-part career at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge that began in 1968 and has no end in sight.

"It's been wonderful," Matson says of her time at the U of L. "I love the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, I don't think there's a better employer in the city and I really don't say that lightly because I've been in many different spots."

Currently, playing an administrative support role in the physics and astronomy department, Matson has seen virtually every corner of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

She began with a job in the registrar's office in 1968, working out of a mobile trailer on the city's south side. Since then she's worked in the Department of Anthropology, as an administrative assistant for the vice-president of administration, the advancement (then development) office, the library and for the director of physical plant. All the while she's moved to England, Medicine Hat, worked for the Lethbridge Symphony and Lethbridge College.

The one constant is that Matson keeps coming back to the U of L.

"It's so neat walking around now and seeing how this place has grown from this one building that stretched across the coulees to what we have today. It's been amazing," she says.

Her ability to adapt to new roles and meet new challenges is surely aided by Matson's not-so-secret talent, musical theatre. She's long been recognized as one of the area's most accomplished actors, recently giving a command performance as Mrs. Lovett in Lethbridge Musical Theatre's presentation of Sweeney Todd.

"I've been fortunate enough to be in sort of a small pond like Lethbridge to be able to play some amazing pieces and have some wonderful parts in all of them," she modestly says.

Her role as Mrs. Lovett was a return to Sweeney Todd, a play she performed here on campus in 1991 with the Centre Stage Players. Her first piece with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Faculty of Fine Arts did not come until four years ago, when Brian Parkinson cast her in "Noises Off".

"We're an incredibly well-rounded artistic community so I'm thrilled and pleased to be a part of it. I almost feel as though I've taken over Joan Waterfield's role, I've inherited the mantle that she kind of passed down," Matson says. "That's why I've been able to adapt and move through things because nothing stays static. I love the variety and continued challenges you find."

That attitude, coupled with worldly experience, is the main reason she so seamlessly slid into her current position.

"When I heard the job was in physics and astronomy, I wasn't so sure my fine arts background would fit," she laughs. "But this is such a collaborative department in every way. I don't feel like I work for physics and astronomy. I'm treated as a member of the department and I'm involved at all levels. One of the things that I am here for is to be the face the students see and meet and I love that. That's the best part of the job as far as I'm concerned. I'm very proud to be that face and I always have been, whatever job I've done here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ."

She's open to anyone dropping by the physics department to learn more about its programs but if you don't make it up there, check her out on stage next fall when she participates in the Lethbridge Symphony Association's kick-off fundraising production of Light in the Piazza.

It will be just another face she's eager to try on.

GET THE FACTS

• Matson managed the Lethbridge Symphony from 1998-2000

• Her daughter, Lindsay Pisko, and son, Matt Pisko, both graduated from the U of L

• Matson won the Grace Elliott Trudeau Scholarship for the best actor/actress under the age of 25 at the Dominion Drama Festival in 1970

• She credits longtime director Fran Rude as a mentor, having worked with her on Shirley Valentine and most recently on Sweeney Todd

• The Lethbridge Symphony Chorus spawned the LMT and Matson was a member of the chorus in LMT's first production, Finian's Rainbow, in April 1964

UNews - Brian Parkinson

Long Service & Retirement Recognition Ceremony

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Parkinson discovers a mentor, launches a career

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Parkinson discovers a mentor, launches a career

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Shakespeare's best on stage

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Parkinson pushes growth of theatre community

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Stepping aside not easy; but it is the right time

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Weekend events include Blue and Gold

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Arcadia begins run Tuesday night

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Matson willing and able to play any part

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