Thespian Throwback: First Canadian Members

By 1950, the National Thespian Society was well on its way to becoming the International Thespian Society. That’s when the first Canadian Thespians joined our list of troupes.

EVER READY to expand its services to all groups interested in the dramatic arts, The National Thespian Society welcomes into its membership its first Canadian troupe, No. 1056, located at Stanstead College School, Stanstead, Quebec. Lloyd C. MacPherson is its sponsor. Dr. E. C. Amaron, principal, participated in the installation ceremonies, which were held on May 14 in the auditorium of the school.

Paul Newhall, Margaret Philip, Ruth Rice, Norman Bodtker, D. McIntosh, K. Currie, R. Stewart, G. Stewart, D. Hawkins, P. Foulkes, O. Nordby, H. Murray, G. Turnbull, G. Newman, J. Murray, D. Beinschrott, S. May, E. Howes, B. Jackson, J. Goodfellow, and D. Wilson are the charter members. They were initiated by a ritual team composed of B. Fluhmann, J. Philips, J. Mooyboer, W. Collins, T. Theodore, G. Allen, and M. Rose, who are not Thespian members, but prospective members.

The officers of Thespian Troupe 1056 are as follows: Paul Newhall, president; Margaret Philip, vice-president; Ruth Rice, secretary; and Norman Bodtker, treasurer.

The National Thespian Society welcomes into its membership this Canadian high school, which is called “college” school, the term given to all secondary schools of Canada. With Troupe 1056 now showing the way, our society is anticipating other Canadian schools will petition for charters and membership.

Our society now has troupes in Canada, Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Canal Zone. It is our aim to create an “international” society instead of a national society in the future years. Canadian Troupe 1056 brought the realization closer.

This story appeared in the October 1950 print version of Dramatics. Learn about the print magazine and other Thespian benefits on the International Thespian Society website.