FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 30, 2009
Media Release

Congratulations to Mr. Bob White,
appointed as Member of the Order of Canada

Calgary, AB – Alberta Theatre Projects extends its congratulations to former Artistic Director Mr. Bob White on his appointment to the Order of Canada.

The Governor General’s office issued the official release this morning, making the appointment public.

The appointment as Member recognizes a lifetime of distinguished service in or to a particular community, group or field of activity. Mr. White was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada, for his “…contributions as a dramaturge in the creation, development and production of hundreds of new Canadian plays, and for his role in the promotion of arts and culture in Alberta.”

The Order of Canada, one of our country’s highest civilian honours, was established in 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, to recognize a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation. Over the last 40 years, more than 5000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.

Mr. White was Artistic Director of Alberta Theatre Projects from 2001 until June of 2009. He worked at the company for 22 years, as a dramaturg, a director, the Co-Program director of the Banff Playwrights Colony, and the Artistic Associate in charge of new play development at the Annual Festival of New Canadian Plays, the Enbridge playRites Festival.

Vanessa Porteous, Bob White's successor as Artistic Director at Alberta Theatre Projects commented, "Bob White is a great Canadian, whose contributions to theatre in this country are immense. There is no more deserving person, and I am thrilled he has been given this honour."

Mr. White is currently directing Abraham Lincoln Goes to the Theatre by Larry Tremblay, translated by Chantal Bilodeau at Alberta Theatre Projects for the 24th Annual Enbridge playRites Festival of New Canadian Plays. The Festival runs February 3 to March 7, 2010.

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