Bette MacDonald and Maynard Morrison

Cape Breton University is delighted to honour and recognize two individuals who have spent their careers making audiences from across the country laugh in delight, while sharing the Cape Breton culture through satire and comedy and who have dedicated their work to the preservation of performing arts, Bette MacDonald and Maynard Morrison. Bette and Maynard started their careers in the performing arts at Cape Breton University’s Boardmore Theatre. Known widely for their roles in the well-loved The Rise & Follies of Cape Breton Island and the ever-popular The Cape Breton Summertime Revue, the pair have been known to keep their audiences in hysterics for entire performances. Together, the husband and wife duo are legends in the performing arts sector, and have both found individual success throughout their careers. Bette MacDonald is a Gemini award-winning actor, a Nova Scotia Screen Award winner and a multiple Canadian Screen Award nominee. Her television credits include The Bette Show, This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Made In Canada. For eight seasons, she played school secretary Trudy Walsh, on the hit CBC television series Mr. D. Her stage acting career began in The Boardmore Playhouse at CBU, and she has since toured the country in various shows including The Cape Breton Summertime Revue. She stars in, and is co-writer, along with her brother, Ed Macdonald, Tis The Season, a holiday-themed show that began as a one-night stand fifteen years ago and has since toured Nova Scotia and beyond. Currently, Bette is a member of the wildly popular, Island Girls, sharing the stage with Jenn Sheppard, Lucy MacNeil and Heather Rankin. BETTE MACDONALD | MAYNARD MORRISON Maynard Morrison is co-founder of The Rise And Follies Of Cape Breton Island and The Cape Breton Summertime Revue. He has toured the country as a member of The Summertime Revue and as a member of The Fabulous Doorknobs, with bandmates: Luke Wintermans, Max MacDonald and Kenzie MacNeil. For ten years, Maynard was a favourite at the Halifax Comedy Fest and continues his comedic career with various shows including Tis The Season, with his wife, Bette MacDonald. Maynard has made guest appearances on radio in Madly Off In All Directions and Basic Black and on television series including Mr. D, Rideau Hall and The Fabulous Doorknob’s TV Show. For forty years, Maynard taught drama at Sydney Academy High School and created original shows with his students that were featured as part of CBU’s annual festival of plays. Today, Cape Breton University confers the degree Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, on two Cape Bretoners who have entertained thousands with their brilliant humour and quickwitted maritime satirical comedy, Bette MacDonald and Maynard Morrison.