Meet Debbie Collins, assistant director of The Sweet Delilah Swim Club, whose favourite season has always been summer. When she looks back on her best memories, they almost always involve family, friends, and food. For Debbie, those three ingredients are the foundation of both great summers and great theatre.
One childhood summer memory stands out in particular. Debbie’s family spent time at a small cabin in Northern Ontario, a place she remembers as rustic, beautiful, and almost untouched. The lake was stunning, the cabin was tiny, and none of that mattered. What mattered was being together. That sense of shared experience and closeness continues to shape how Debbie approaches both life and her work behind the scenes.
Food plays a big role in Debbie’s summer memories, too. Hot dogs top her list, and she is firmly in the wiener roast camp. If she could share a summer night by the ocean with anyone, it would be her wonderful partner, someone who clearly means the world to her. Debbie swims, not as well as she once did, she admits, but she still loves the water and the calm it brings.
Debbie has been involved in theatre for 43 years, a fact that still surprises her when she says it out loud. Over that time, she has worked in countless roles, learning how every moving piece contributes to a successful production. Her work as assistant director reflects that understanding. She supports the creative vision, helps keep rehearsals running smoothly, and ensures that everyone feels grounded and supported as the show comes together.
Her favourite thing about Alberta is simple and heartfelt: Cow Patti Theatre itself, and the wonderful friends she has made here. That sense of community is something she values deeply. Debbie is also a devoted dog lover and a reader who enjoys personal growth as much as performance. She is currently reading How to Set Boundaries (Without Feeling Like a D*ck), a title that makes her laugh and resonates with her practical wisdom.
If Debbie could give her younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: stop worrying. One day, you will laugh at all of it. It is advice rooted in experience, compassion, and perspective, qualities she brings to The Sweet Delilah Swim Club every single day.