Building a performing arts centre was never one of Michael Koehler’s goals. But somehow his career, family life and passion to create collided, and The Venue emerged.
When he was in high school, Koehler found happiness in construction and industrial arts, so much so that he considered becoming an architect. But unsure he would measure up, he decided to stick with his best subject, math. He completed a four-year bachelor of education in secondary mathematics and went straight into teaching. His first teaching assignment included only one math class, as well as CALM, drafting and construction.
“Those are all things I enjoyed doing — I just never imagined I’d get to teach them,” Koehler says.
Now that he’s taught for more than 30 years, Koehler stays motivated by taking on different assignments, finding new approaches or building things ... literally.
“Whether it’s creating a piece of furniture, making dinner, creating an interesting approach to teaching fractions, I am just always interested in the creation process,” he says.
Throughout his career, Koehler has also embraced opportunities to help others engage in the creative process. For example, one day Koehler was building a set for the school’s drama class and it occurred to him that students could be doing that work. So he put the wheels in motion for a theatre tech course that brought together industrial arts and theatre students.
This experience served Koehler well when he took on his biggest volunteer project yet — a new theatre in High River.
In 2011, with two daughters engaged in the arts, Koehler became involved with the local theatre group, sometimes as a performer and sometimes as a set builder. Experiencing first-hand the community’s strong support for artists and performers, he saw a need for a dedicated theatre space.
Excited by the prospect of building something for his community, Koehler co-founded the High River Performing Arts Foundation (HRPAF) with the goal of building The Venue, a 200-seat black box theatre. The HRPAF currently operates an outdoor stage on The Venue site while also programming the Bandstand in George Lane Park in High River. Now treasurer of the HRPAF, Koehler takes pride in the long-standing impact of the space he helped create.
“I see that it has a great influence on a community, for kids, youth, adults and seniors alike,” he says, “I can look at this and see my fingerprint on that work.”
Got an idea? Unsung Hero is a space dedicated to honouring ATA members past and present who have had notable achievements, either in the ATA or in their private lives.
If you know of a member whom you feel should be recognized, please contact section editor Lindsay Yakimyshyn at lindsay.yakimyshyn@ata.ab.ca.
