Marquee at the Surrey Arts Centre in 1976 for the commissioned play My Name is Lisbeth, written by Canadian playwright Sharon Pollock.

In the early days of Douglas College, there were many similarities between the Theatre Program and the College at large. Much like the College itself, it had a scattered and somewhat turbulent beginning – particularly when it came to study, performance, and rehearsal spaces. These locations were spread widely across the Lower Mainland over several municipalities, including Surrey, Coquitlam, and Burnaby. Despite these logistical challenges, Dorothy Jones writes in her history of the Theatre program that “there was an excitement and energy prevalent amongst faculty, staff, and students, and this optimism was evidenced in the theatre courses offered in the first year of operation” (Jones, 1994). Unfortunately, these location issues would continue to create problems during the first decade of the college’s existence. 

Archival records reiterate that classes were taught all over the Lower Mainland in various buildings, high schools, and portable classrooms. This created unique challenges for such a program as Theatre, due to its unique disciplinary and instructional needs. Theatre classes had to be held at North Surrey United Church, and productions were put on at either the Surrey Centennial Arts Centre or the James Cowan Theatre in Burnaby. These facilities would continue to be crucial to the Theatre Program productions until the New Westminster campus was opened in 1983.  

Beginning in 1975, classes became more dispersed and were taught at even more different locations, as Dorothy Jones (1994) writes: “Acting and voice classes were held in Queens Avenue United Church, movement at Olivet Baptist Church, History of Theatre at McBride Campus, and technical courses were held at the stagecraft shop in New Westminster Secondary School.” The latter half of the 1970s resulted in several more relocations for the department. Starting in September 1976, Theatre classes were held at the Riverview Campus in Coquitlam, while technical stagecraft classes remained at New Westminster Secondary School. After a losing battle with passionate bingo players in 1978, classes were forced to shift from a local bingo hall to the Burnaby Arts Centre to close out the decade. 

Theatre students participate in the "Great Trek" from the old Douglas College campus to the permanent facility at 700 Royal Avenue. Photo by Basil King, New Westminster Museum and Archives, Photo 2954.

While radical changes for the Theatre Program were on the horizon, the start of the 1980s decade was much of the same. The Program moved to the Agnes Street Centre for the 1980-81 school year, and then yet another reorganization to the Winslow Campus in Coquitlam for 1981-1982. While plans for a permanent campus had been in the works for the previous several years, it wasn't ready for occupation until December 1982. For the Theatre program, the move couldn't come soon enough. 

Finally, the big moment came for the College, and in turn, the Theatre program. During the so-called “Great Trek”, a parade led by then-president Bill Day to the freshly constructed permanent New Westminster campus, theatre students were featured front and center – leading the way with signs and placards that read “T-H-E-A-T-R-E". Archival photographs from both the Douglas College and New Westminster Museum and Archives show the enthusiasm and energy from these students was readily apparently and drew much attention from onlookers and the press.