VIU Theatre Chair takes centre stage with Nanaimo culture award

Leon Potter recognized for his impact on students and the local arts community

Leon Potter has been part of Nanaimo’s arts community for more than 21 years. As Chair of the Theatre program at Vancouver Island University and Malaspina Theatre Manager, he works closely with students while raising the bar for professional theatre on Vancouver Island.

This year his contributions were recognized with an Excellence in Culture Award through the City of Nanaimo’s Culture Awards. Each year the award is given to an individual or group who contributes to arts, culture and heritage in Nanaimo. 

Over the years, Potter has built a strong reputation as a theatre artist, educator and collaborator. He has played an important role in supporting the city’s creative scene through his directing work, festival adjudication, masterclasses and role as Director of Culture and Events for the Nanaimo 55+ BC Games.

“Leon Potter stands as one of Nanaimo’s most influential and respected cultural leaders, a theatre artist whose impact reaches far beyond the stage,” reads the award bio. 

We caught up with Leon to talk about what the award means to him, what he enjoys most about his work and the advice he has for students starting out.

What does this award mean to you? 

The award means an enormous amount to me for a few reasons. Firstly, it feels amazing to be recognized by the City of Nanaimo and the community as a whole for doing what I love to do. Second, I had a chance to read the letters of support that came in from all over, spanning decades and distances, elaborating on the elements of working with me. It was honestly humbling, and an incredible honour. I consider myself the luckiest man alive to be able to do what I love to do every day, and to have been able to have worked in the arts with such amazing people for so many years.

What’s your favourite part about your job?

The collaboration and creation of the shows we do in the theatre. The whole process, from the grain of an idea, to the auditions, first read and rehearsals, building and watching it grow into the opening night after a month of crazy hours. Watching the look on the actors’ faces when the audience jumps to its feet in applause, or kids ask for their autograph. Seeing that sense of accomplishment turn into a memory that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

What’s a typical day at work look like for you?

My job title officially is Chair of the VIU Theatre Program, Theatre Manager of the Malaspina Theatre and Faculty member. However, it expands into Artistic Director and Designer for the productions we create. At our busy time, a day in the life would look something like this:

• Robin (the Theatre Technician) and myself start with coffee, go over the events in the theatre and what needs to happen.
• Classes: Teaching the acting classes and pushing the students to embrace the creative spark inside them.
• Management: The Malaspina Theatre acts as a professional theatre as well as a training ground for the theatre program. I look after all the bookings that happen in the Malaspina Theatre. In an average academic year, we will host 200 to 250 events and have approximately 25,000 visitors come through the theatre.
• Design: I usually do the set design for one of the mainstage productions that support the VIU Theatre program.
• Directing: I direct one of the MainStage productions each year, which means that in the evenings, we head into rehearsal.
• Production managing: I act as the production manager for all the shows we work on here, so a part of that is the budgeting, but also organizing the professionals from the community who come in to work with the students.

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

Don’t be discouraged by your mistakes. No one learns anything from success, we learn everything from mistakes and learning from our attempts. Fail up, fail better and keep going.=

What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?

Cooking. I find it so relaxing to be in the kitchen exploring flavours, and creating something so good to eat, then inviting friends and family over so we can all enjoy it.

What’s a piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their journey at VIU?

First, I would say congratulations on making a great choice, and then I would tell them to get involved and explore everything. This university puts so much into the student experience, from clubs, to sports to arts and activities all through the year. It is a great spot to be. Embrace it, get out there and take full advantage? of these incredible years of your life.

Media contact:

Eric Zimmer, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University 

P: 250.618.7296 | E: Eric.Zimmer@viu.ca | W: news.viu.ca