Tibor Feheregyhazi, CM (February 14, 1932 – July 10, 2007) was a Hungarian-Canadian actor, director, and artistic director. He is best known for his contributions to regional theatre in Canada, particularly as artistic director of the Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Background
Feheregyhazi was born in Budapest, Hungary. His parents worked for the Hungarian National Radio — his mother as executive producer of music programming and his father as an economic journalist. He began his career as a child actor at age four, performing on the radio station where his parents worked. He attended a private Jesuit school before switching to a public high school, and later enrolled at the National Hungarian Film and Theatre Academy, acting on stage and radio while studying. He graduated in 1956.
Hungarian Revolution and Immigration
In 1956, Feheregyhazi was among the thousands of young Hungarians who fought in the Hungarian Revolution. Following the revolution's failure, he fled Hungary, first to Italy and then to Canada in 1957. Upon arriving in Canada, he worked in a camera shop, cleaned floors in a hospital, and worked part-time in a theatre.
Career in Canada
After three years in Ottawa, Feheregyhazi moved to Montreal and studied at the National Theatre School. Following graduation, he worked as a stage manager for the Canadian Players Company in Toronto. In 1969, he joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet as a production manager. He later worked freelance before becoming artistic director of the Magnus Theatre in Thunder Bay, Ontario, in 1978. In 1982, he moved to Saskatoon to join the Persephone Theatre as artistic director.
Honours and Legacy
In 2004, Feheregyhazi was made a Member of the Order of Canada in recognition of his work at the Persephone Theatre. He celebrated the 50th anniversary of his arrival in Canada on July 1, 2007.
Death
Feheregyhazi died on July 10, 2007, in Saskatoon at age 75, following a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. He was married twice and was survived by his wife and five children. The City of Saskatoon named Feheregyhazi Boulevard in the Aspen Ridge neighbourhood in his honour.
