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Coghill, Joy

CTE photo
Joy Coghill

Actor/director/teacher born in Findlater, Saskatchewan in 1926, who has left an indelible mark on Canadian theatre.

She co-founded (with Myra Benson) the first professional children's theatre in the country, Vancouver's Holiday Theatre (1953).

Since then, she has played or directed in many of the country's major venues including Vancouver Playhouse , Globe Theatre , Muskoka Summer Theatre, Frederic Wood Theatre (Vancouver), Saidye Bronfman Centre and Grand Theatre, London . In 1987, she played the role of an aging, disabled actor seeking the spirit of Emily Carr in her own play, Song of This Place (Vancouver East Cultural Centre). In March 2001, she appeared in Wit, at Canadian Stage ).

Her range extends from the modern classics (The Seagull, The Crucible) to the Canadian repertory ( Michael Cook 's Head, Guts and Sound Bone Dance). Her performances are marked by a vivacious and inquisitive spirit.

She has also performed frequently in film, television and on radio.

She lives in Vancouver with her husband (since 1955), Jack Thorn, and runs a company for older actors there, called Western Gold.

She is the recipient of numerous honours, including two honourary degrees, four Jessie Richardson Awards , and a Herbert Whittaker Critic's Award. She is a member of the Order of Canada, and in 2002 she received a Governor General's Performing Arts Award.

Last updated 2010-01-25