M. Barbara Clerihue

Barbara is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Theatre Studies at the University of Victoria. Her academic journey follows a diverse professional background, which includes retirement from the Royal Canadian Navy holding the rank of Commander. Throughout her career, Barbara gained expertise in strategy, finance, human resources, instruction, leadership, and management. In recognition of conspicuous merit and her exceptional military service she was appointed to the Order of Military Merit, the third highest national order in Canada.

Leveraging her academic background and teaching skills, Barbara spent seven years as an instructor in the mid-career professional degree program at the Royal Military College of Canada, with which she maintains a connection as a sessional instructor in ethics and leadership. Following her departure from the military, her passion for theatre led her to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree, marking the beginning of her third career as a theatre artist with a focus on design.

Barbara's previous graduate work and her current research share a common thread - the exploration of the interplay between culture, identity, and ensuing social dynamics of marginalization. Her interest in the dynamics of aging and age representation within the context of performance stems from her personal experience entering the third phase of life and the consequent shifts in her social position. Her research endeavors aim to address the scarcity of data and analysis related to the representation of old age in Canadian theatre, while also considering the intersectionality of aging with other disciplines that involve non-normative identities such as queerness and disability. By exploring these areas, Barbara seeks to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities and nuances of aging in the theatrical realm.

Co-Supervisors: Dr. Allana Lindgren and Dr. Sasha Kovacs