In Calgary, Denene Derksen took drama classes in both junior and senior high school. At the University of Calgary, she got a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in directing and after, her teacher certificate, then taught drama in junior high school for fourteen years. Living with her grandparents in Qualicum Beach, in 1987, she directed Salt-Water Moon for ECHO Players. She feels that drama is about safety, play, collaboration, confidence and self-esteem.
Denene’s career took a turn as she explored massage therapy, health and wellness and obtained her art therapy certificate. She also published a novel. Her creative work is informed by Shamanic art therapy and interpersonal neurobiology. Denene taught English for one year in Korea and utilized Readers’ Theatre. Little did she know that she would be using it in her next career step, a perfect segway back to teaching drama.
Berwick Qualicum Beach opened in May 2019 and Denene started working in Active Living. Her background and skills led her to start BQB Players, starting simply and evolving over time. As Laurel Wright, Active Living Manager said, “Denene has such a wide array of skills, and she brings so much thoughtfulness and expertise to our drama group(s). She has a way of making everyone feel comfortable and highlighting every individual’s talents. We are so grateful to have her on our team!”
The drama group developed the talent and confidence to write their own play “Murder, They Wrote” and it was very well received. Said Maggie, one of the drama group, “I love our Berwick Qualicum Beach Player’s group. Under the expert, patient guidance of Denene, we learn to relate to each other, to laugh, have fun and keep our brains active. As we get older, it Is only too easy to sit back and wait for others to entertain us. We love to show ur enthusiasm for drama by performing short plays and hopefully dazzle our audience in the lovely theatre.”
Given the success of the BQB Players, Denene was encouraged to start Berwick Parksville Players, who have now presented three successful comedies, the last with a standing room only audience! Denene has had such a positive influence on the Berwick Parksville Players, that two cast members who have moved away to be closer to family, hope to start a drama group in their new locations. Said Mary, “I see Denene as an advocate and encourager, seeing the worthiness and potential in seniors, allowing them to discover for themselves that there is still more gas in the old gas tanks!!”
Audrey adds, “Directing a play requires a great deal of patience, understanding, skill and discipline for all concerned. We were indeed very fortunate to have Denene as our director, as steering a cast of elderly actors, some with experience and some with none, to such success, is no mean feat.”
Denene brought the two groups together for a special workshop conducted by a professional actress. It was a memorable experience for all concerned.
Asked about the challenges of working with our seniors, Denene says they include age related movement, vision, hearing, and memory. Despite or maybe because of them, the rewards, she says are that the seniors are full of surprises (both to her and themselves) and seeing a different side to them, amazed at people’s sense of humour, those who have never acted becoming addicted to getting laughs, the audiences being so supportive, and she said that she loves the moment when a project feels like a living thing on stage.
Denene is fully involved in the BQB publication Cultivate, a magazine that started from a past resident collecting memories from residents and a published book. The magazine is issued once a year, with one thousand copies printed and circulated locally. It is a lifestyle magazine that inspires, nurtures and elevates, featuring input from residents and staff, as well as local businesses.
She said, “To be happy and healthy, especially during uncertain times, we need connections, creativity, courage, laughter and joy.”
Thanks to Denene, that is brought to the fore in both drama groups as well as locally.