Our Founder
DR. JOSEPH H. SHOCTOR
1922 – 2001

Joseph H. Shoctor Endowment Fund and Award

Ellis Brothers Photography

JOE SHOCTOR
A Man of His Time

The founder of Edmonton’s foremost theatre, The Citadel, passed away at the age of 78 in April 2001. He was a lawyer and a civic booster, a businessman and impresario. Joseph H. Shoctor possessed a spirit and conviction which was all-encompassing to those around him. His passion was infectious and his powers of persuasion were hard to resist. Some say Edmonton would not have become the city it is had it not been for Joe’s passion and enthusiasm. His generosity and spirit will never be matched.

To Joe’s credit there are numerous aspects of Edmonton’s sporting, educational, business and of course cultural institutions that exist because of his hard work and ambition. In 1949 he was part of the group who revived the Edmonton Eskimo football franchise, placing Edmonton on its way to become the City of Champions. His forethought helped bring together the downtown campus of Grant MacEwan College, as well as the creation of the Downtown Business Development Association and the Winspear Centre. His most monumental contribution to this city however, has to be The Citadel Theatre.

Joe’s father, Morris came to Canada in 1911, leaving his wife and children in Russia as he attempted to find his fortune. He settled in Edmonton where he worked as a junk peddler and egg seller. In 1920 he was finally able to send for his children and wife Nochoma. A couple of years later Joseph H. Shoctor was born on Boyle Street in downtown Edmonton, a Canadian citizen.

Joe attended Alex Taylor and McCauley schools and then Victoria High School where his love for the arts flourished. His joy came from writing and performing plays and songs and he even wrote the school song. Ultimately, he left his performing behind when he attended the University of Alberta and attained his Law degree. His passion for the arts, however, was still burning and as he looked from his office window on 102 Street, seeing the Old Salvation Army building standing empty, his dream found a place to call home.

In 1965 Joe convinced some of his friends to invest in the old building and The Citadel was born. It began with Edward Albee's Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? — and Edmonton was forever changed.

In 1976 the Citadel made the huge move to its present magnificent home situated on the southeast corner of Churchill square in downtown Edmonton; the complex is the largest in Canada with five theatres, an atrium and a nine-meter tall waterfall. Throughout the years Joe kept his strong hand in the theatre, watching it grow and flourish.

Joe was passionate and determined. He aspired to make Edmonton one of the most important theatre towns in Canada. With his Citadel theatre he accomplished it; turning the northern Alberta city into a major cultural centre. His determination and perseverance made his dream come true, bringing some of the best artists to Edmonton. Stars such as Dame Peggy Ashcroft, Roy Dotrice, Glynis Johns, James Whitmore and Martha Henry graced The Citadel with their gifts. As a guiding force Joe brought to Edmonton world-class directors: John Neville, Peter Coe and Robin Phillips. His vision launched great Canadian talent into the professional realm; actors, playwrights, directors and designers. He and his Citadel Theatre helped the City of Edmonton become a birthplace of theatrical talent, nurturing such artists as Brad Fraser, Stewart Lemoine, Bob Baker and even the Fringe Festival.

Joe had the passion and drive to help make Edmonton everything it could be. He was a self-made man who embraced his Jewish ethnicity and never backed down from a fight. He was smart and blunt. He was generous with his spirit, his time and his money. He was the most successful cultural fundraiser in Canadian history. We thank Joe for his contributions to Edmonton and most of all for his vision and dream: our beloved Citadel Theatre.

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