My first professional theatre gig was working as a production assistant at the Ship’s Company Theatre in Parrsboro, NS in the summer of 1986. Two years later I helped co-found Live Bait Theatre and have been working in the administrative/production side of theatre ever since. More recently I have taken that experience and applied it to other organizations. Following is a list of much of that work. This is basically what I call my “real life” resumé, versus my actor or writer resumé.
Artistic Director/Founding Member Live Bait Theatre, Sackville, NB – May, 1988 – Sept., 2007
Produced an annual theatre season of up to seven plays, including in-house and visiting productions; raised a $300,000 annual budget; issued press releases and dealt with all media requests; managed accounts payable and receivable as well as daily bookkeeping; Developed and supported new Atlantic Canadian work presenting more than a dozen world premieres; and wrote, directed and/or acted in over 80 productions.
Director of Education – Neptune Theatre – May 2008 – Feb. 2011
Duties included planning and staffing four different programs, providing training to almost 1500 students, aged four to adult, annually. Managed a staff of twenty instructors as well as a $250,000 budget. Also directed and coordinated the Neptune Theatre Young Company, taking plays to 20,000 Nova Scotian school children annually.
Associate Artist – Neptune Theatre – Feb. 2011 – Oct. 2011
Responsible for Neptune Theatre’s relations with the greater community. Handled rentals of the various Neptune Theatre spaces. Other duties included creating study guides, setting up auditions and public readings, marketing and serving on committees within the community. Helped establish an Artist-in Residence for Neptune and forged strong working relationships with both Queer Acts and the Atlantic Fringe Festival.
Artistic Producer – Eastern Front Theatre – Oct. 2011 – Nov. 2015
Produced an annual theatre season of up to three playas well as the annual Stages Theatre festival, featuring six to eight plays from across the country. Responsible for raising and overseeing a $250,000 annual budget, choosing plays for production, curating the Stages Festival, and developing a series of community outreach projects and fundraising events.
Consultant – Town of Amherst – 2016-2017
Worked as a consultant for the Town of Amherst exploring the idea of capitalizing on the Great Amherst Mystery, a true ghost story which has become known worldwide in paranormal circles. Organized meetings with community members, and various businesses and organizations, generating countless ideas. Proposed an annual festival called Esther Fest, named after the young woman at the centre of the paranormal activities, Esther Cox. Helped organize a small, trial version of the Festival in 2017 and submitted a detailed report outlining potential opportunities.
(Note: Although the event was well received the Town was not interested in pursuing it further. It is still my hope that I can eventually make something happen. Stay tuned…)
Anne Murray Centre Outreach Coordinator – April 2019 to present
Created and managed a series of special events to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Anne Murray Centre, including presenting a performing arts series. Sought out new funding and partnership opportunities to ensure that the Centre remains relevant as it begins its fourth decade of operations.
AWARDS
New Brunswick Arts Award of Merit for contribution to the Cultural Life of NB – 1999
Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre – Lifetime Membership for contribution to Atlantic Canadian theatre – 2007
NS Established Artist Recognition Award – 2014
BOARDS/JURIES
Anglophone Theatre Representative – New Brunswick Arts Board – 2002-2004
Member of Steering Committee – Sackville Cultural Capitals Committee – 2006 – 2008
Founder and Coordinator – Sackville Arts Wall – 2007 – 2009
Member – Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council – 2011-2012
Board Member – Legacy Centre, Halifax – 2011-2015
Board Member – Anne Murray Centre – 2007 – 2008 and 2017-1019
Have served on juried granting bodies for the Canada Council, the NB Arts Board and Arts NS.