Julien Arnold

I met Julien on the first day of the BFA Program at the University of Alberta in 1986. A joyous, toothy, carrot-topped free spirit from the Comox Valley, he was a wizard at text, dance, singing, dialects, and everything else, facing it with a bounce in his step and effervescent good humour. Julien was disciplined and professional – but he also reminded us all to have fun.

He cut his teeth dealing blackjack and performing at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s in the Yukon, then came and took Edmonton theatre by storm. He was a natural character actor with exquisite timing and an ever-present glint in his eye. Onstage and off he was charming, devilish, quick-witted, and blessed with a gift for language and character that suited all genres. A brilliant comedian, he was also a gifted musician and songwriter – if Julien didn’t play an instrument when he auditioned for a part, he’d tell them that he DID, and he’d learn to play it by the first day of rehearsal.

Julien found the dramatic depth in comic roles, as he’d find the humour in dramatic roles. He was a generous performer who made his castmates shine onstage, and his directors look brilliant. He workshopped and premiered dozens of new plays, and was at home with musicals, Shakespeare, farce, mystery, and modern drama.

Julien was a founder of Edmonton’s Freewill Shakespeare Festival, where he played over 18 roles, including Petruchio, Malvolio, Brutus, Romeo, Feste, Lear’s Fool, and Gloucester. He was an ensemble member with Teatro La Quindicina for 15 years, and performed in over 30 plays at the Citadel Theatre – most notably as Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol from 2001 – 2016. Over his 38-year career Julien acted in over 150 plays in most of Edmonton’s theatres and across western Canada.

Julien had a BFA and an MFA from the U of A, and founded his own theatre company, Atlas Theatre. He was a mentor to young performers and a leader among his peers. During the darkest days of the pandemic he became the hub of social life for his friends, spending his CERB cheques on patio heaters to facilitate socially-distanced gatherings through the frigid Edmonton winter.

Julien loved music, bird watching, electric biking, being a cheeky monkey, eating chickpeas from a can backstage, vacations to Mexico, and beers at the pub. He passed away on stage during a performance as Mr. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol. In spite of heroic efforts by paramedics who were attending that performance, his big and beautiful heart gave way.

He leaves his beloved wife, Sheiny Satanove, whom he married in a beautiful Island ceremony this past July, as well as his father Tony and brother Nick. He is remembered and loved by the hundreds of us that were lucky to be his friends, and by the hundreds of thousands who saw him perform over his remarkable career.

He’d want us all to remember him with a wobbly pop, some Bob Marley, and a good laugh. Cheers brother.