Actor Tim Balme says he would never have trodden the boards of a stage without the guidance and insistence of his Otumoetai College teacher.
Mr Balme acknowledged his mentor at the renaming ceremony of Baycourt's main auditorium in honour of the late Bob Addison.
Addison Theatre has replaced the name of Centennial Theatre and is recognition for the lifetime of achievement Mr Addison brought to the performing arts as a singer, director and producer.
He died on August 26, 2008 from cancer, a year after being awarded the Queen's Service Medal for his contribution to education, music, the arts and local government. Mr Balme was a student of Mr Addison's in the 1980s and credited him for the career path he had taken.
"It's because of Bob I've had the career path I've had. I have no idea what I'd be doing if it wasn't for him. I guess it will always be a mystery," he said. "Back in 1981 he got me involved in his annual drama productions and I did them every year after that."