Bonny Eagle High School to dedicate auditorium to long-time drama professor | Arts & Culture

On Saturday, the theater at Bonny Eagle High School, where P. Michael Bourgoin taught and directed plays for a quarter-century, will be renamed in his honor.

Saturday’s event, which comes 15 months after Bourgoin succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease, has triggered an outpouring of memories of the locally famous teacher who had brushes with the big time but seemed to prefer playing the role of mentor most of all.

Earlier this year the petition to rename the school’s theater in Bourgoin’s honor was unanimously approved by the local school board.  The auditorium will be renamed during an alumni variety show celebrating his life. A scholarship fund for graduating seniors pursuing drama has been created in Bourgoin’s memory.

"He did what was best for us and what was best for the show," recalls Jonna Boure '86. "He didn’t do ‘just enough.’ There are teachers out there who do just enough, but he did incredible things."

Saturday’s event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Bonny Eagle High School.

Special Note: The author of this Around Town story is a graduate of Bonny Eagle High School.  Along with hundreds of other BEHS Alumni, she is a thespian who was personally influenced by Bourgoin's dedication to the craft of acting.  She shares the sentiments of many others who are pleased to see Mr. Bourgoin's legacy honored in this fashion.