Keith Provost Memorial Scholarship in Theatre
This award was established in 2002 in memory of Keith by his family and friends, for a student in the BFA Program in Theatre in his/her 2nd or 3rd year. Preference is given to students in the Acting Option. Members of Keith’s family have asked that the special qualities Keith possessed be considered in choosing the most appropriate recipient of this award.
These include the following:
- very dedicated, loved acting and playwriting
- he felt privileged to be doing what he was doing and was more than willing to pay his dues (it wasn’t about becoming famous)
- positive and upbeat . . . he would find something to be excited about as opposed to something to complain about
- a free spirit, a bit of a rebel
- multi-talented (actor, writer, artist)
- unselfish and modest . . . Keith would express genuine enthusiasm for the work of others.
Keith Robert Clare Provost was involved in a tragic accident at the age of 40 years. Keith was knocked off his bike by a suddenly opened door of a parked car and, although he was wearing a helmet, he died in the hospital from head injuries on Sunday June 24th, 2001, the day after the accident.
Keith attended the University of Victoria from 1982 to 1985. He studied acting in the BFA program in the Department of Theatre, and performed in many productions at the Phoenix Theatre. Keith’s wife, Janet Baxter, also studied Theatre at UVic and obtained her BFA in 1986.
After studying at UVic, Keith moved to Vancouver where he became a well respected and much loved member of the acting and writing community. Over the 15-year span of his career, he took part in countless theatre, film and television productions. He was a founding member of the “Fend Players,” co-produced the “Cold Reading Series” at the Anza Club in which playwrights workshop their scripts, and one of his screenplays was short-listed for the Praxis Spring Workshop 2000 competition. In 1996 he was a winner in Theatre BC’s Annual Canadian National Playwriting Competition for his script, “The Exhumation of Ginger Cat.” In 1997 he co-stared with Ed Asner in the film, “Basil.”
Keith Provost, Kennedy Goodkey and Craig March co-authored the script for the film "The Beast of Bottomless Lake", which was released in 2010.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Keith is remembered for his many wonderful personal qualities including, among others, his wit and comedic touch. He loved life and he had the highest regard for the welfare of all creatures. He was a fantastic gentleman.