Béatrice Frenette: From Stage Dreams to Teaching Aspirations

Béatrice Frenette, who graduates this summer from the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), has already achieved significant milestones. She is the first in her immediate family to attend and complete a university degree, earning a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Communications and a minor in Theatre, along with two certificates.

“I would describe myself as dedicated and organized to learning and growing my craft,” Béatrice says, reflecting on her journey.

Béatrice’s love for theatre has been a constant throughout her life. Pairing her passion for theatre with a degree in Communications, Béatrice found a perfect balance that allowed her to explore various career paths.

“I have always had a love for theatre growing up and I knew that it was something that I wanted to pursue, whether it be on or off stage and behind the scenes. (…) A Communications [degree] opens the door to a lot of different job opportunities such as marketing, managing, research, and office job opportunities. The theatrical aspect of my degree allows me to be more open and creative with my future, which is something that I appreciate.

Her recent practicum with the Chilliwack Cultural Centre and the School of Creative Arts has been a game-changer experience.

“This practicum working with the Chilliwack Cultural Centre and the School of Creative Arts has been such a challenging and rewarding journey.”

Starting in January 2024, she and her classmates spent several months organizing the TakeOver Festival, with Béatrice taking on the role of Artistic Director. Her responsibilities included coordinating communication, scheduling meetings, soliciting donations, and shaping the festival’s vision. The theme they chose was the promotion of diverse art and harmony, and Béatrice meticulously selected student plays, short films, and art pieces to feature at the event.

As with most things in life, this practicum experience also presented its challenges.

“The biggest challenge I faced along the way was the separation between work and personal time. I felt like this practicum devoured a lot of my mind for the past several months and it definitely affected my mental capacity,” Béatrice admits. She learned the importance of trusting her team, which included Anu Sharma, the Marketing Manager and Planner, and Theresia Tio, the Production Manager. “Without my trust and faith in my team to help me get things done, the festival wouldn’t have been possible! I’ve learned that you can’t always do everything.”

Through this experience, Béatrice also gained insights into the complexities of marketing.

“Making sure everything was advertised at an appropriate time proved to be difficult due to our time constraints and communication with various department heads and individuals. In the end, everything ran smoothly!”

Looking ahead, Béatrice has her sights set on a career in education. She remains passionate about theatre and envisions a future where she can work backstage or as a theatre teacher, leading others and sharing her passion.

“Moving forward I hope to apply to the teaching program at UFV and/or UBCO. I would love to pursue getting an education degree so that I may one day work with kids and teach.”

Béatrice’s advice to future students is to embrace every opportunity.

“My biggest advice would be to always say yes to any possible opportunity that is given to you. You never know where the opportunity might lead you. Especially when it comes to working in the theatre industry, it can be very competitive and sparse. So, if there is an opportunity that comes your way, it’s a great chance for you to build your resume, make connections, gain experience, and find out what your career goals are.”

Cultivating Creativity and Shaping Chilliwack’s Arts Scene: Jean-Louis Bleau and the Chilliwack Cultural Centre

Jean-Louis Bleau is a versatile professional whose career has woven through various roles in the arts sector. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Chilliwack Cultural Centre, his journey encompasses experiences as an arts administrator, music artistic director, professional conductor, and university educator. Beyond his professional achievements, Jean-Louis finds inspiration in sailing, running, and other water-related sports, activities that ground him and fuel his creativity.

“My motivation to pursue a career in the creative arts sector is rooted in my experiences and professional journey.  As an arts administrator and artistic director, I have seen firsthand the profound impact that the arts can have on individuals and communities. The ability to spark creativity, facilitate collaboration, and drive cultural development has been incredibly fulfilling.”

At the Chilliwack Cultural Centre, Jean-Louis oversees a diverse range of programs aimed at enriching the cultural fabric of the community. His dedication stems from a desire to create meaningful experiences, support emerging talents, and contribute to a vibrant cultural landscape.

“Working here has allowed me to curate diverse and engaging programs, which has only deepened my commitment to this field,” he adds.

One of the highlights of Jean-Louis’s tenure has been his involvement with practicum students from the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV).

“Supervising practicum students in a student-led festival has been a deeply rewarding experience. These exceptional students were proactive and required only minimal guidance.”

The TakeOver Festival was a student-led festival that has proven instrumental in engaging the community through unique performances, enhancing cultural offerings, and strengthening ties with local residents. Through hands-on involvement, students gained practical experience in organizing and executing major events, refining their skills in project management, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.

“This experience not only provides them with a platform to showcase their talents but also builds confidence in their abilities, essential for their professional development,” he emphasizes.

Reflecting on the impact on the organization and the community, Jean-Louis highlights the benefits of integrating student perspectives and innovations into their programming.

“For our organization, it brings fresh ideas and enriches our events. For the community, it fosters an inclusive environment where emerging talents are celebrated, and diverse voices are heard. Witnessing the diversity of plays and films, feeling the energy in the lobby, and marvelling at the talents of the performers was a fantastic and inspiring experience,” Jean-Louis concludes.

New School of Creative Arts has successfully launched

As of Friday, September 27, 2019, UFV College of Arts’ new School of Creative Arts (SoCA) has successfully launched.

The new cultural hub was featured in Academica Top Ten and The Abbotsford News. The school combines departments in theatre, visual arts, art history and media arts with the end goal of creating a centre for creative innovation in the Fraser Valley. Dr. Heather Davis-Fisch is the school’s new director. She was previously the department head for the theatre program from 2016-2019.

Read moreNew School of Creative Arts has successfully launched

INTERPRET CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL

Creative & Performing Arts Festival

Date: Friday, April 27
Time: 6pm – 10:30pm
Location: Evered Hall, Student Union Building

This first-time event will celebrate the arts at UFV featuring Theatre, Creative Writing and Visual Arts. The following individuals, including alumni, will showcase their diverse talents on April 27, 2018:

Margret Bollerup
Bethany Caldwell
Paige Caldwell
Sidi Chen
Julia Dovey
Emily Eggert-Botkin
Cat Friesen
Mitch Huttema
Jessica Karroll
Jesse Klassen
Luke Kokoszska
Abrianna Leaming
Wenwei Liu
Cameron McKerchar
Willow Mussell
Emilie Poirier
Deanne Ratzlaff
Deb Silver
Krystina Spracklin
Christopher Taylor

Readings and performances by UFV Creative Writing and THEA Directing 451 students. Selected artworks from the University Arts Collection will also be on display in addition to works produced by the following courses: IDS400: Decolonizing Canada’s 150th, VA 232 Sculpture & Extended Media II, VA 252 Print Media II, VA 160 Video Production I & VA 261 Video Production II.

Opening Reception: 6:00 PM @ Evered Hall, Student Union Building, 33844 King Rd Abbotsford.

The art exhibition will run until May 11, 2018.

Event locations include the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Art Gallery (B136), D and C buildings.

Catered by Restaurant 62. Live music from 9-10:30 PM! Performers include Kristin Witko, Myriad of Whispers and DJ Simon Bridgefoot.

Event is free and everyone is welcome!

Sponsored by SUS, UFV, CIVL Radio, Restaurant 62, & Ravens Brewing Company