By Andrew King
Bill Higgins
IN FOCUS
Bill Higgins was born on Prince Edward Island . It ’ s there that he grew up in a loving family of six , was educated , and met his future wife . And it ’ s there that he was introduced to the world of live production through one of the country ’ s most revered and reputable theatre festivals .
Higgins is now the head of lighting at Charlottetown ’ s Confederation Centre of the Arts , a cultural centre dedicated to visual and performing arts and a National Historic Site of Canada . And it ’ s there that his career began almost three decades ago , during pre-production leading up to the annual edition of the Charlottetown Festival .
“ At the time , the crew was working flat out to get a show on schedule and I was another body thrown into the mix to make that schedule work ,” Higgins recalls . “ With no prior experience in live musical theatre , I considered myself lucky to get a show call that first summer in the props department and was able to gain more experience and skills each and every year .”
PEI is home to a mixed IATSE local , which Higgins says has worked in his favour over the course of his career . He ’ s been able to work and gain experience in several disciplines , from props and carpentry to audio and lighting .
His first few years with the centre were spent moving between departments before taking the job of head of lighting for the nearby MacKenzie Theatre ( lovingly known to Islanders as The Mack ) for two seasons . He then returned to the Confederation Centre ’ s flagship Homburg Theatre and worked in the electrics department , first as spot operator and then desk electrician before taking over as head of lighting three years ago .
The timing of his appointment is particularly noteworthy as the Confederation Centre had just begun a four-year renovation and technical transformation that ’ s now amidst its final phase . The work includes improvements to the rigging , electrical , and audio departments on stage and in the house of the Homburg Theatre .
Higgins says that the transition to head of the department , taking over for his longtime friend and mentor , Paul Druet , has been the most significant challenge of his career to date . “ He had mentored me and taught me much of what I apply to my job , but the act of assuming his role in the theatre was still quite daunting , learning all of the duties and responsibilities that come with it ,” he admits . “ The other department heads were very understanding as I found my place and I thank them for their patience , their advice , and their skills .”
But the rewards his career affords him far outweigh the hurdles he ’ s had to overcome , and the Confederation Centre ’ s seasonal schedule has been the source of many of those . “ The Charlottetown Festival brings highly skilled actors , musicians , and designers to produce a summertime musical theatre festival with a history of great productions ,” he explains , “ and then in the winter , we become a roadhouse that presents acts across the spectrum , from children ’ s theatre to classical and baroque performances to dance companies from around the world .” His favourites , though , are often the pop concerts , which in recent years have included the likes of Jann Arden and the late Leonard Cohen .
“ While I ’ ve been blessed with being exposed to such a variety of
artistic expression ,” he adds , “ the thing that really enthused me is the dedication of the artists who come through the centre . No matter what my musical or theatrical tastes may be , if the artist is talented and professional in their approach to their art , then it behooves me to treat them with the respect they deserve for their time in our theatre .”
Higgins calls his life outside of work very “ family oriented .” He and his wife are currently adjusting to their new reality of life without kids , as their two daughters have each left home and branched out into different parts of the arts world . “ So that means creating a new life with different opportunities for things like sports , films , and travel ,” he shares . “ And travel has taken on a new meaning for us when the opportunities present themselves .”
Many of those opportunities come from Higgins ’ work with SkateCanada , which he ’ s been involved with for over a decade . “ I ’ ve been able to take part in competitions all across Canada ,” he enthuses , including one particularly enjoyable trip to an international competition in Quebec City that featured the best Olympic skaters from around the world . “ That offered an escape from work as a board operator in lighting to being a board operator for the audio portions of the competition ,” he adds – “ somewhat like working in a bright , cold theatre .”
He ’ s also had the chance to give back to the organization and professional community that helped to launch his career , serving as president of IATSE Local 906 for nearly 10 years and VP and recording secretary for six .
In the coming months , Higgins is excited to continue incorporating the theatre ’ s new changes into his work – a process he and his colleagues are very much enjoying and one that will enhance the quality of productions that the Confederation Centre of the Arts presents for its patrons , both local and “ from away .”
As Higgins can attest first-hand , PEI is not only a great place to raise a family ; it ’ s also home to a rich and vibrant arts community that has provided him with a long and rewarding career .
Andrew King is the Editor-in-Chief of Professional Lighting & Production .
PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING & PRODUCTION • 35