Fredrick H. Thury

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Fredrick H. Thury (November 16, 1945 - March 6, 2006) began teaching at York University in 1970, where he set up and ran Vanier College Productions and the Vanier College Studtio Theatre (now renamed The Fred Thury Studio Theatre) as artistic director. The VCP company has been officially associated with Vanier College since 1972, and was under Thury's direction for the rest of his life. Executive Producer and close friend Nancy Accinelli, who helped him run the theatre for many years, has kept the company going.

Thury also established and directed the Vanier Improv Company (aka "The New VIC") where he taught and influenced a large number of Toronto's best comedians and sketch comedy troupes. The Minnesota Wrecking Crew, The Doo-Wops, 2 to Go, Nugmutter, Dead Kid Did It, The Gazebo Pals and Performance Anxiety are among many other troupes that have roots in Thury's company. The VIC's individual members have also had much success.

Thury was also a gifted author and playwright, penning many of the plays he produced and directed himself (including "Nose to Nose", "One Potatoe, Two" and "Festival!" which was produced at the college every two years). He also wrote the children's book The Last Straw.