Launching the Michael Sobota Collection
Is there currently a bigger supporter of the arts scene in Thunder Bay than Michael Sobota? We can’t think of one. From the moment we first announced our intention to open an independent bookshop, Michael has been Entershine’s biggest cheerleader. So, when we were looking for ways in which to commemorate our second anniversary, it was the easiest thing in the world to decide to create a curated collection of Michael’s book recommendations in his honour.
For those of you not familiar with the man whom one of our customers called “Thunder Bay’s biggest influencer,” Michael was born and raised in Independence, Wisconsin. After graduating university with an honours degree in Speech & Communication and spending a year with a professional touring theatre company, Michael immigrated to Thunder Bay in 1969 – when the city was still Port Arthur and Fort William – receiving full Canadian citizenship in 1981.
Michael co-founded and worked in Kam Theatre Lab, touring Northwestern Ontario and Canada. He co-founded and was the Executive Director for AIDS Thunder Bay for 25 years and served on The Ontario Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS for 24 years, working with 11 different Ministers of Health. Upon retirement, Michael taught courses in the Department of Sociology at Lakehead University for two years and served as the Chairperson of the Board of the Lakehead University Student Union.
Michael returned to active work in theatre, directing plays for Cambrian Players and New Noise Productions as well as contributing to the 10x10 Annual Playwrights Showcase. Throughout his adult working career, he continued making contributions to local media, publishing poetry, and having plays produced. Michael is currently contributing to three local print publications: The Chronicle Journal, The Walleye, and Thunder Bay Seniors. He’s addicted to movies, reading, and life in Thunder Bay.
For those of you not familiar with the man whom one of our customers called “Thunder Bay’s biggest influencer,” Michael was born and raised in Independence, Wisconsin. After graduating university with an honours degree in Speech & Communication and spending a year with a professional touring theatre company, Michael immigrated to Thunder Bay in 1969 – when the city was still Port Arthur and Fort William – receiving full Canadian citizenship in 1981.
Michael co-founded and worked in Kam Theatre Lab, touring Northwestern Ontario and Canada. He co-founded and was the Executive Director for AIDS Thunder Bay for 25 years and served on The Ontario Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS for 24 years, working with 11 different Ministers of Health. Upon retirement, Michael taught courses in the Department of Sociology at Lakehead University for two years and served as the Chairperson of the Board of the Lakehead University Student Union.
Michael returned to active work in theatre, directing plays for Cambrian Players and New Noise Productions as well as contributing to the 10x10 Annual Playwrights Showcase. Throughout his adult working career, he continued making contributions to local media, publishing poetry, and having plays produced. Michael is currently contributing to three local print publications: The Chronicle Journal, The Walleye, and Thunder Bay Seniors. He’s addicted to movies, reading, and life in Thunder Bay.