A
Potted History
from
Alison Boston
After we left St. Michael's
we returned to Canada and lived in Nova Scotia for a couple of years, then Northern New Brunswick, then back to Nova Scotia. (I could write a book about that, and may yet!)
Stephen and Thomas both graduated from high school while living in New Brunswick and went off to The University of New Brunswick in the provincial capital, Fredericton. Stephen studied English literature and for a number of years slugged way as a fiction writer, publishing in literary journals. When he reached forty, he traded in fiction writing for software, and now he writes software for a US company based in Victoria, B.C. where he lives. He has one son, Nicholas from a previous marriage.
Thomas seems to be the perpetual student of the family. He studied sociology and anthropology at the University of New Brunswick and later the University of British Columbia. He then did another degree in education, and for the past ten years has been working with the Nisga School Board in New Aiyanch, B.C. It is a first nations community, and his job has been curriculum supervisor, ensuring that first nations values and heritage are integral to the school's curriculum. He has written a book about it. These days he continues to work for the school board, is father to three children, husband to a musician and music teacher. He gained a Masters Degree in guidance counselling in June - and caretaking his house on half a dozen acres. I don't know how he does it!
Mother took up acting when all the children were grown up. She started with a community group while living in Ontario, then after Dad retired, they moved to Victoria, British Columbia, where she became active with a local seniors semi-professional theatre group. They create their own plays about seniors' issues and tour them to hospitals, schools, conferences etc. The group - Target Theatre - is very successful, and have received great accolades for a piece they do about Alzheimer's.
Father became consumed with a human rights issue in the late sixties, and two years ago was given the Human Rights Award by the Lieutenant Governor for his work in that field. He had resumed the ministry when we returned to Canada, and retired 17 years ago, but even after retirement he kept preaching and drove over five hours - both ways - once a month to a small fishing village on Vancouver Island where he conducted services. He never lost his passion for ministering to what he called 'people of the land'. First in Nova Scotia, with fisherman; then in New Brunswick with farmers and lumber jacks; and then in his retirement...At 82 years of age, he still swims three times a week and walks a great deal, although he does suffer with severe arthritis in his right knee.
As for myself: I have had a real patch work life! I went to fifteen schools in twelve years - St. Michaels was definitely the best! After leaving high school I travelled around working as a florist, studying a bit at Dalhousie University in Halifax, then later in Alberta at Red Deer Community College. In the early 1980's, I completed a B.A. in Theatre (cum laude) from the University of Ottawa, and then emerged as a performance artist on the Ottawa arts scene. On the side, I freelanced with CBC radio, writing documentaries on the arts and soft news - mostly human-interest stories, often dealing with spirituality. I also hosted a jazz show for a while, replacing the regular host when he was sick or on holidays; and did a brief stint with the short wave service: Radio Canada International.
On the artistic side: in 1988 I was awarded a Canada Council Arts Grant for my work as a performance artist. In 1991 I left eastern Canada and went to British Columbia where I continued to do freelance writing, mostly print - still soft news, mostly the arts. In 1993 I traded in editors for directors and started my own theatre company in Victoria. I produced and starred in two one-woman shows (one which I had written myself). The other show, 'How She Played the Game' written by Cindy Cooper, I produced in conjunction with the 1994 Commonwealth Games Arts and Culture Festival.
That show went on to tour for a year, culminating at the 1995 Canadian Olympic Academy. Last year I revived it - at the playwright's invitation - and toured it to Budapest, Hungary for the 6th Annual Congress for the International Society for the History of Physical Education and Sports. I am currently producing a short run of the same show at the local McCord Museum.
Any theatrically oriented sports fans out there? It's a historical drama that tells the stories of six incredible sportswomen from the first half of the last century. I am always looking for invitations to perform it, and would love to do a school tour in Great Britain. Perhaps we could launch it at Saint Michaels! I hope to have a web site up and running - SOON - meanwhile, if anybody wants info, get in touch with me and I'll send a press kit. Over the years, in between freelance writing and acting, I've also had an artisan hat business - designing and making hats; and have trained as a swimming instructor and swim coach; and have taught acting - as well as, of course, swimming!
So that's this version of the potted family history
Regards
Alison Boston
