Cathy Wilmot has performed in dozens of theatrical productions during her career. But her role in an upcoming production of Les Miserables stands apart.

“Les Miserables is my favorite musical and a show that has been on my bucket list to perform in so I am very excited,” she says.

The musical, based on a Victor Hugo novel, follows the story of Jean Valjean, a French peasant and prisoner who is drawn into the revolutionary events of the 19th century.

Cathy graduated from Douglas College’s theatre program in the late 1990s and quickly landed work in theatre.

She spent years honing her singing, dancing, acting and comedy skills, while performing in productions of Rent, Legally Blonde, Jesus Christ Superstar and more.

Interested in upgrading to a degree, she entered the Bachelor of Performing Arts program, offered jointly by Douglas College, Capilano University, Langara College and Vancouver Community College.

The program gave her an opportunity to learn more about the creative process, how to market herself and culminated in a group project that was performed at the 2015 Push Festival.

“I liked the performing arts aspect of the program that I hadn’t done previously but was interested in exploring,” she says.

As an ensemble member in the Arts Club production of Les Miserables, which runs July 2-August 16, Cathy will play a variety of parts. She said the Performing Arts program has prepared her well.

“What I learned is to be open to new ways of thinking about art and how it’s created. I think more about the process and all elements that go into making a production now than I did before.”

Learn more about the Bachelor of Performing Arts program on the Douglas College website. And check out Cathy’s website.