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Intro
This blog post and interview is a part of the Senior Stories YYC project being conducted by Global Shapers Calgary. We as a collective of youth under 30 are platforming the learnings and legacies of Calgarians 65+ to bridge perspectives between younger and older generations. It was started with the intention of shaping a legacy of change to be honoured in partnership with the individual and the wider community.We are actively seeking Calgarians 65+ from underrepresented communities to interview. Please email emmayberger@gmail.com to get involved in this project. We also welcome any feedback.Intro
🔉Listen to the Full Interview (TRIGGER WARNING FOR SUICIDE, 22:45 - 26:20)
Photo of the Roxy theatre advertising the showing of Eugene’s play “Closer and Closer Apart.”
Staging Change: Eugene Stickland
on Encouraging a Dedication to the Arts
Staging Change: Eugene Stickland
on Encouraging a Dedication to the Arts
Authored by Global Shapers Calgary.
Few artists have shaped Calgary's artistic identity as clearly as Eugene Stickland. Arriving in 1994 from Regina, the acclaimed playwright brought not only his creative talents but a deeply held belief that theatre should reflect the full spectrum of human experience. Through years invested in writing, film, theatre, and mentorship, Eugene has demonstrated how immersing yourself in the process of creation holds power to transform individual lives and enrich communities.
Eugene’s career in Calgary started with a 10-year residence at Alberta Theatre Projects. During this time, he wrote the widely successful play Some Assembly Required – which has been produced more than 100 times! Today, his body of work includes a total of 19 plays produced both in Canada and around the world. He also wrote in the arts section of the Calgary Herald from 2004 to 2009, where he became celebrated as “the conscience of the city”.
Genuine Connection
Genuine Connection
The impact that Eugene has had on other people’s lives goes beyond the stage. He has also been an active mentor, guided by the simple principle of “do no harm.” Eugene reflected fondly upon his own experience as a grateful mentee of the legendary Mavor Moore, who was recognized in Canadian history as having “the greatest contribution to musical theatre in Canada,” among other accolades. “We would just talk,” Eugene said.
“We wouldn't talk about plays. We wouldn't talk about anything, really, other than just life. But his acceptance of me and his belief in me that he showed by not being corrective at all seemed to mean the world to me and gave me the confidence to keep doing what I was doing. It was a very special type of mentorship.”
- Eugene Stickland, on his reflection of his relationship with Mavor Moore.
Eugene posing in front of a poster of one of his plays, “The Innocence of Trees.”
A Sincere Ally
A Sincere Ally
Eugene’s commitment to mentorship led him to become involved with Stardale Women’s Group - a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Indigenous girls. In 2014, he coached them in creating a performance piece addressing the ongoing suicide crisis in First Nations youth. Through the interview, Eugene humbly mentions several times about how they were so lucky to have “gotten away with it,” addressing such a serious issue. The piece was presented “to white people who had never been in the presence of a native person in their lives. [...] I became totally committed that there had to be some kind of change in our culture at least to be aware.” Today, many of these ladies have grown up to live full and wonderful lives, and Eugene takes pride in encouraging some of them to pursue degrees in film studies, believing strongly that “the world is ready to hear Indigenous voices – in particular female Indigenous voices – now.”
Eugene is happy to see more diverse voices taking center stage. He notices the big opportunity for children of immigrants in becoming artists, believing “there’s this thing about an artist having to stand outside of [a] culture in order to be able to comment on it.” He sees the importance of sincerity in his own work as well, even when competing for funding, stating:
“I'm going to be myself. If you don't like it, fine, but I'm not going to try to pretend to be something that I'm not.”
- Eugene Stickland, on making a career in the arts
Impacting Individuals
Impacting Individuals
Eugene’s hard work in theatre and journalism has certainly paid off. Yet, his proudest moments are not characterized by fame, but by influencing other people’s lives in a meaningful way. As he puts it, you can influence others by simply giving “a different version of how a life can be lived.”
In his play Sitting on Paradise, Eugene explores the topic of materialism through the lens of a Calgary couple. After one staging of his play, a lady approached him and talked about how she was going through a difficult divorce – she “won” the matrimonial home, but after watching his play she realized the house was not a prize, but a trap. She then decided to leave the house and build a new life. For Eugene, this moment was profound: an example proving that his art mattered; that he had actually made a tangible impact on someone’s life: “that's the last thing I expected [from] anyone – that kind of decisive action; that someone might change their life because they saw a play of mine. But, I saw it happen, once.”
“You need to train your mind and you need to train your soul in the arts.”
- Eugene Stickland, on living as an artist
Preparing the Next Generation
Preparing the Next Generation
During his tenure at Alberta Theatre Projects he led the Student Writers Group, a collective of high school students interested in theater. Every Saturday morning, he gathered with aspiring playwrights, helping them bring their ideas to life, believing that “you need to train your mind and you need to train your soul in the arts” to truly succeed with it.
Humbly reflecting on his career, and putting his best wishes forward, Eugene states “In my time, what Canadian playwrights were creating was important. [...] It's not that I'm any more talented than someone who's 20 years old who's starting out today. I just had more opportunities.” Today, Eugene worries for up-and-coming playwrights, bringing attention to the need for programs where young Canadians’ writing is recognized and community spaces are funded. “If I had a wish for Calgary, it would be to invest more in this next generation, like you guys. […] We've got lots of pretty buildings, but we need intelligent, well-trained people to inhabit them now.”
A group of young people casually gathered around tables with tablets. Two on the right are applying makeup. Photo by Akson, courtesy of Unsplash.
Closing
Closing
Eugene Stickland continues to write and inspire others through his commitment to the arts, creating meaning, fostering community, and championing the next generation. His work reminds us that art is not just a product but a process of connection—a process that can, and does, change lives, one word at a time.
Authored by Global Shapers Calgary.
📣Connect with Eugene📣
📣Connect with Eugene📣
You can find Eugene at Company of Rogues Actors Studio every Fall, teaching a course on playwriting.
Contact Eugene at eugenestickland@gmail.com for inquiries regarding his publications.
🔉Listen to the Full Interview (TRIGGER WARNING FOR SUICIDE, 22:45 - 26:20)
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