Newsletter Highlights

(September 2009)
Spotlight on Joan Miller

To become a life member of any organization denotes special merit for diligent work and concern for the organization, usually over a long period of time. 

As such, there was good reason for Joan Miller, current Chair of Regina Summer Stage, to receive a
Life Membership a few years ago.

Joan has been involved with Regina Summer Stage since its inception, and as the 25^th season of Regina Summer Stage ends, it seems only appropriate to recognize her involvement and achievements. Organizations such as RSS don’t run without volunteer commitment, and Joan knows all about that.

There isn’t much that Joan hasn’t done with Summer Stage over the years. She has been involved in virtually every aspect of production and encountered every situation and problem imaginable in the theatre, right back to the first four seasons when RSS performed at Globe Theatre, and then making the transition to the Regina Performing Arts Centre.  Her work with Sylvia Oancia was key to the initial success of RSS.

To list all of the areas in which she has worked would make far too long a list, though she is currently the Chairperson of RSS, after having been Co-Chair for several years.  That brings with it a responsibility that Joan hasn’t taken lightly.  Anyone who is familiar with Joan’s organizational abilities knows that whatever she does will be well-run and well-organized, and not much, if anything, is missed. To say that she has been a mainstay of RSS is not an understatement, since she has been one of the people who has ensured the success of Regina Summer Stage over the years.

One of the traditions of RSS is a reception following the opening night of the summer musical. Joan has spoken many times at these and other functions. As anyone knows who has heard Joan speak, she is an eloquent and articulate public speaker.

We can’t forget that Joan is a talented performer too, having appeared in several musicals and revues for Regina Summer Stage over the years.

If you want a score of anecdotes about the history of RSS, Joan is the one with the corporate memory. If you get her started, you will hear some amusing incidents from the past.

Joan has been involved with other organizations as well, having performed many times with Lyric Light Opera and Regina Little Theatre.  She has even been known to dance on a tabletop and take on the role of a courtesan, both highly out of character (or so she tells us).

Joan was also heavily involved with the Save Darke Hall Coalition and the move to have the Regina Performing Arts Centre opened. She has been a tireless supporter of the arts.

In her daily life, Joan is a teacher-librarian for the Regina Public Schools where she works just as diligently.  Recently, she received the 2009 Connie Acton Award of Merit from the Sask. School Library Association. The award recognizes "those individuals who have made a significant contribution to school library programs to benefit students" and  "to recognize the contribution and effort of those individuals who have worked toward making the SSLA an effective agency for the promotion of sound school library development and practice."

Thanks, Joan, for all your work with Regina Summer Stage, and theatre in general. Regina and the theatre community are indeed better off because of your involvement.