Joseph Shoctor was a renowned Canadian theatre director and founder of the Citadel Theatre. He made significant contributions to the development of theatre and Canadian culture. More on edmonton-trend.com.
A Lifelong Love for Theatre
Joseph was born in Alberta in 1922 to immigrant parents. His father ran a small goods store located where the Alberta Art Gallery stands today, while his mother was a homemaker.
Joseph’s childhood was vibrant, with his parents teaching him resilience and creativity. After graduating from Victoria High School, Joseph enrolled in the University of Alberta to study law.
While at university, he was an active member of the student council, served as president of the literary association, and performed with the Little Theatre under the direction of Elizabeth Haynes. By 1948, he began practicing law in Alberta.
In the early 1960s, Shoctor worked in New York, serving as chief director of the New York Theatre alongside Norman Twain.
Founding the Citadel Theatre
In 1965, Shoctor introduced Edmonton to professional theatre. Before establishing the Citadel Theatre, he envisioned making it the cultural hub of Canada. He was the first to organize fundraising efforts for the theatre, earning him the nickname “Mr. Citadel.”
The Citadel Theatre officially opened on October 12, 1965, with its first play, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, premiering on November 10. The audience was thrilled with the production.
Shoctor played a crucial role in securing a permanent home for the Citadel. Using his legal expertise, he convinced city officials to repurpose the Salvation Army building for the theatre.
Under Shoctor’s leadership, the building was renovated, and in 1976, the grand Citadel Theatre complex was inaugurated. He was named president and executive producer, and the theatre’s largest stage was named in his honor.
An Edmonton Journal article in 1989 highlighted that the Citadel opened its 25th season with Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a cultural milestone for both Edmonton and Canada.
While managing the Citadel, Shoctor also directed, produced, wrote, and performed in productions for the Edmonton Little Theatre and Edmonton Light Opera.
Shoctor’s Remarkable Achievements
Beyond his work in theatre, Shoctor served as a director of the National Theatre School of Canada and an honorary patron of the National Screen Institute. He was also the founder and first secretary-manager of Edmonton’s Eskimos football club. Additionally, he chaired the Heart of the City task force under the city mayor.
Shoctor contributed significantly to Edmonton’s development. His achievements included leading the establishment of the Edmonton Concert Hall Foundation and improving Jasper Avenue. As a real estate developer, he designed neighborhoods near Rio Terrace.
He collaborated with the charity United Way, raising substantial funds for both the theatre and city projects.
In 1989, Shoctor was inducted into Edmonton’s Hall of Fame. Later, he was named a Member of the Order of Canada and received Alberta’s Achievement Award for Excellence in Theatre Arts.
Final Days
On April 8, 2001, Shoctor suffered a heart attack. Despite more than ten days in the hospital, he passed away on April 19, 2001. His funeral took place at Beth Israel Synagogue in Edmonton, and he was laid to rest at the Edmonton Jewish Cemetery.
