Around Town: Wakey, Wakey; Celebrate Christian Writing; Northwest graduation

Craig Erickson in Wakey, Wakey. Photo by Jalen Saip

Write-ups about Wakey, Wakey are predicting good things, but there must surely be a bittersweet feeling at Pacific Theatre as this year draws to a close.

Wakey, Wakey will run from October 15 to November 2. After that there will be one concert and several performances of PT’s annual Christmas Presence. Then the theatre company will have to move out.

As the leadership of Pacific Theatre told its supporters in June:

We write to you today at a crossroads in our company’s history.

After more than 30 years in our beloved alley-style theatre, located in the historic Chalmers Heritage Building, Pacific Theatre has made the difficult decision to leave our long-time home and to pause programming at the end of December 2025.

While we cherish our relationship with the Holy Trinity Anglican Church – who own and operate the Chalmers Heritage Building – the venue is not currently viable for our long-term, sustainable operations.

The building requires a major structural upgrade (estimated at more than $500,000) alongside water ingress remediation. . . .

For further information, including a list of answers to FAQs, please visit pacifictheatre.org or contact info@pacifictheatre.org.

Kailin Williams is Director of Wakey, Wakey and Artistic Director of Pacific Theatre.

It is uncertain whether PT will be able to return to the Chalmers Heritage Building. So, this is a very stressful time for the company. They would really appreciate any creative input about a new home – or, even better, the offer of a suitable space.

Kaitlin Williams, Artistic Director of Pacific Theatre (and Director of Wakey, Wakey), wrote to me recently, saying:

PT is moving out of Holy Trinity at the end of December and actively seeking a new home. One option we are exploring is potentially partnering with another church that is developing its space – perhaps it might be attractive to the developer to have us as a cultural amenity space as part of the project.

I wonder if there are others out there in earlier stages who might be interested in hearing from us.

Wakey, Wakey is:

A remount of PT’s acclaimed 2021 production. Nominated for five Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards, including Outstanding Production.

It’s a party for one, and the world is invited. Guy wakes in an empty room with nothing but a handful of flash cards to make sense of it all before the curtain falls. Will Eno’s gently disorienting meditation on life’s small joys and absurdities will lead you into the dark with a light touch and the hand of a friend. The original PT creative team returns to give Guy the celebration he truly deserves.

Strong reviews and write-ups from local publications are encouraging the team.

A two-page spread in the October edition of The Georgia Straight by Mike Usinger features an extensive interview with Williams.

And an article by Emily Lyth in Stir notes: “When Wakey, Wakey premiered off Broadway in 2017, the New York Times called it a “glowingly dark, profoundly moving” work that encompasses “a master’s blend” of emotion.”

October 13 note: Shawn Conner wrote a good piece for the Vancouver Sun about Wakey, Wakey and Pacific Theatre, and interviewed Kaitlin Williams: ‘Last call at Pacific Theatre: Wakey, Wakey marks an end and a beginning amid industry struggles.’

Celebrate Christian Writing

Surrey Christian Writers are inviting fellow writers – and the general public – to join them for a 10th anniversary gathering October 18, 1 – 3:30 pm (doors open at noon).

Celebrate Christian Writing will be held at Peace Portal Alliance Church:

Featured author readings and book signings, random stage reader draws, door prize draws, coffee, tea and treats.

Free admission and reserved seating. Donations accepted at the door.

Among the featured authors are a number of well-known local figures, including:

• April Yamasaki: Author of several books, including Hope Beyond Our Sorrows, and editor of a devotional magazine;
• Jack Taylor: A long-time pastor and organizational entrepreneur, he has written six novels;
• Monika Hilder: Professor of English and the co-founder of the Inklings Institute of Canada at Trinity Western University;
• Ed & Janice Hird: Authors of God’s Firestarters; Blue Sky, a novel; and For Better, For Worse: Discovering the keys to a Lasting Relationship;
• Tim MacIntosh: Retired pastor and author of three ‘Eyes on Jesus’ books; he posts a daily devotional blog;
• Paul Allen: Dean of Corpus Christi College at UBC and author, currently working on a three part theological anthropology.

For Information and seating email: celebratecw@shaw.ca

Northwest graduation

Barton Priebe is President of Northwest College & Seminary.

Northwest College and Seminary will hold their graduation ceremony at South Delta Baptist Church October 18.

Barton Priebe, who took on the presidency of Northwest in 2022, wrote an email update to supporters October 7, stating (in part):

What an incredible fall this has been! I just returned from Cornerstone, our annual student retreat, and I’m still buzzing with excitement.

This year’s camp was packed with students from all across Canada – a beautiful reminder that there’s a new generation rising up who genuinely wants to serve Christ, love Him, and know Him deeply.

The numbers tell an encouraging story too. Our undergraduate program is up over 10 percent from last year and we’ve launched three exciting new partner networks in Fellowship Atlantic, Nepal, and Francophone Africa.

As well, I’m thrilled to share that our Korean programs under Dr. Don Chang’s leadership continue to thrive. After facing significant challenges during Covid, these programs have not only recovered but are flourishing – including the launch of our Korean Doctor of Ministry program in Korea with four students in the initial cohort.

In total, across undergraduate and graduate programs, we have 204 active students. And this fall alone, we’re celebrating 39 graduates across all programs – our largest graduation since Immerse began.

Northwest has been on the TWU campus since 1987.

I remember when Northwest was Northwest Baptist and even when it used to be tucked away on a quiet property in a quiet neighbourhood of southeast Vancouver (on Marine Drive – not Marine Way – near the site of Fraser Lands Church).

It’s great to see the way the school is moving ahead, but there was also a peaceful charm to the old location.

Here is a brief portion of a good history on the Northwest site:

Instead of upgrading its Marine Drive campus, Northwest constructed a new building on the Langley campus of Trinity Western University (TWU) in 1987 and initiated a partnership to conjointly offer degrees.

At the same time, Northwest Seminary joined together with two other seminaries – Canadian Baptist Seminary and Trinity Western Seminary – to form a consortium they named the Associated Canadian Theological Schools, known as ACTS Seminaries.

ACTS Seminaries remains a strong partnership today comprised of the three original members, plus Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, each jointly conferring graduate degrees with Trinity Western University.

You can attend the Northwest Graduation Ceremony in person (1:30 pm) or watch the live stream here.

Events & Jobs

Events are listed below, but there is also an Events page and a Jobs page on the Church for Vancouver site.