Kanata Theatre
Honours Founder

by Jim Holmes

Kanata Theatre has recognized its founder, Mary Mauger, by conferring on her the company’s first and only Life Membership. In doing so Kanata Theatre recognized the indispensable role Mary Mauger played in conceiving the idea of the group and in getting it established.

In October 1968 the Kanata Standard consisted of a few stapled-together mimeographed sheets. In one edition appeared a tiny notice inviting all “ham actors” to attend a meeting at the home of the author of that notice, Mary Mauger, to discuss reading plays for pleasure. "Who knows", the notice said, "where this may lead". [see Adult Drama Club - ed.]

Where indeed! Thirty seven years later the little play-reading group has more than 400 members, runs its own 350 seat playhouse, has produced more than 150 mainstage plays as well as countless plays for children, and has established itself as one of Ottawa’s most important community theatre organizations.

Mary Mauger is an important ingredient in this success. She directed the group’s first staged play, Arise and Shine, in April 1969. She appeared with distinction in many plays while the group was earning its place among the young community’s cultural life. Kanata Theatre’s productions of The Waltz of the Toreadors, The Crucible, Blithe Spirit, Hedda Gabler, The Country Girl and many others, all had the benefit of her rich voice and unerring dramatic instinct.

She worked tirelessly off stage as well. Her particular gift is in costume design and execution. In large part because of Mary, Kanata Theatre was, from its earliest years, able to treat its audiences to authentically costumed period pieces like The Importance of Being Earnest.

Mary and her husband Ted, although they no longer live in Kanata, have remained staunch members, contributors and supporters. They attend most of the company’s productions and general meetings of members.

Outgoing Kanata Theatre president, Gwen Knight, conferred the Life Membership at Kanata Theatre’s general meeting of members on June 5, 2005.