Artistic Director
TONY FROST (1939-2013) founded Fantasy Theatre for Children and The Theatre School in 1981.
In his 30 years as FTC's Artistic Director, he oversaw the presentation of more than 200 plays and 2,000 performances (see: Past Shows), with many students going on to careers in the performing arts.
Originally from Medicine Hat and moving to Winnipeg in 1965, Mr Frost acted and directed for stage and television, appearing with MTC, with Rainbow Stage, and on film.
Locally, he directed more than 300 productions for both children & adults, and was responsible for establishing theatre for young people in Manitoba.
Early Years
Although chiefly remembered for his contributions to Winnipeg theatre, Tony's formative years in Alberta were those of “a rising theatre star”, as one drama adjudicator called him.
As a tribute, these early records were compiled in a 2023 pilgrimage to Tony's home-town of Medicine Hat, with kind & invaluable assistance from the city archives at the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre.
Researcher's Note: The early 1960s seem like fascinating years to have been doing theatre in "The Hat" — a mix of both old and new. Tony acted and directed with well-established organisations like the Medicine Hat Civic Theatre, and attended numerous workshops with prominent instructors before many of today's programs existed. At the same time, he was cast in the first 5 shows at the new Medicine Hat Musical Theatre (still operating successfully today), and also started the Library Players (which would later become Hatterland Children's Theatre: the oldest non-profit children's theatre in Alberta). — John Chase
Awards
- Best Male Performer – Adonijah Wigglesworth in "Diabolical Circle":
Memorial-Salem United Church festival of plays (Mar 1958)
“a rising theatre star” —Adjudicator John Konanchuk - Scholarship (Feb 1964):
Drama Workshop in Medicine Hat
Taught by Jack McCreath, drama supervisor for the provincial government. - Scholarship – Government of Alberta (1964):
Two-week drama seminar in Drumheller
On acting, speech, movement, choral speech, directing, make-up, and design. - Drama Scholarship (Jul 1965):
Alberta Recreation & Cultural Development
For musical theatre workshop at the Banff School of Fine Arts.
Acting
- Silas – The King's English
Alexandra Junior High School – Drama Club (May 1956) - Adonijah Wigglesworth – Diabolical Circle
Memorial Salem United Church (Mar 1958)
Part of a festival of 3 one-act plays. - Kiwi – The Hasty Heart
Memorial Salem United Church Drama Association (Apr 1959) - [Supporting Role] – Moliere's Sganarelle
Medicine Hat Civic Theatre (Dec 1960) - Chorus & Dancer – Oklahoma
Medicine Hat Musical Theatre (Feb 1961) - Lonesome Polecat – Li'l Abner
Medicine Hat Musical Theatre (Nov 1961) - Taxi Driver – Time Remembered
Medicine Hat Civic Theatre (Mar 1962)
Presented in the Dominion (Alberta Regional) Drama Festival. - Boy – The Pajama Game
Medicine Hat Musical Theatre (Nov 1962) - The Director – An Overpraised Season
Medicine Hat Civic Theatre (Apr 1963)
Part of a two-evening annual one-act drama festival. - [Supporting Role] – A Knife To Thy Throat
Medicine Hat Civic Theatre (Nov 1963)
Selected to go to the provincial one-act play festival in Banff. - Stew Pot – South Pacific
Medicine Hat Musical Theatre (Nov 1963) - Sakini – The Teahouse of the August Moon
Medicine Hat Civic Theatre (Mar 1964)
Presented locally and at Alberta's 28th Drama Festival in Calgary. - Rolf – The Sound of Music
Medicine Hat Musical Theatre (Nov 1964) - Clov – Endgame
Medicine Hat Civic Theatre (Mar 1965)
Selected to go to the Alberta Drama Festival in Edmonton (Apr 1965). - [Title Role] – Johnny Dunn
Library Players (May 1965)
Newly-formed children's theatre company. - Hugo – Made in the Mountains
Banff School of Fine Arts (Aug 1965)
"A New Musical Comedy Entertainment" for the Summer Festival Tour.
Directing
- Take a Look at Johnny (May 1956)
Alexandra Junior High School – Drama Club
Assistant Director to Mrs Dorothy Jones. - [play unknown] (1962)
Regional One-Act Festival of Alberta Drama League
Mentioned in an October 1963 news article, sans title. - An Overpraised Season (Apr 1963)
Medicine Hat Civic Theatre
Part of a two-evening annual one-act drama festival. - A Knife To Thy Throat (Nov 1963)
Medicine Hat Civic Theatre
Selected to go to the provincial one-act play festival in Banff. - The Darkest Hour (Oct 1964)
Medicine Hat Civic Theatre
Part of the Regional One-Act Festival of Alberta Drama League. - Endgame (Mar 1965)
Medicine Hat Civic Theatre
Selected to go to the Alberta Drama Festival in Edmonton (Apr 1965). - Johnny Dunn (May 1965)
Library Players
Newly-formed children's theatre company.
Other
- Head of Public Relations for the Ember Music (Jazz) Society (1961).
- Composed a dance, wrote a play, and edited beatnik poetry for a B'nai B'rith Youth Organization "Cafe au Lait" at the Assiniboia Banquet Room (Feb 1964).
Children's Theatre
Surprisingly, none of Tony's early training was specifically in children's theatre. In fact, he directed his first plays for children at the library in Medicine Hat on a whim, as an aside to his adult theatre endeavours.
Little could Tony have known that his Library Players would continue on as Hatterland Children's Theatre for more than 50 years, while theatre for children would grow to become the focus of his own future career in Manitoba.
In August 1965, after touring Alberta in "Made in the Mountains" with the Banff School of Fine Arts, Tony announced his immediate departure for Brandon, MB, where he would associate with a group of artists specialising in adult & children's theatricals — to “teach and be taught”.
After a short time in Brandon and a brief move to Altona to work in radio advertising, Tony came to Winnipeg, where he found a lively and welcoming theatre community. The rest is history.