Artistic Director Bob White Announces 2008/2009 Season Will Be His Last at Alberta Theatre Projects

Calgary, AB, March 15 – At ATP’s 2008/2009 Season Launch, Bob White announced to invited guests that this will be his last season at Alberta Theatre Projects.

Bob White has been Artistic Director of Alberta Theatre Projects since November 1999 though he has been with the company since 1987 as Artistic Associate. During his tenure at ATP he has directed acclaimed productions from the Canadian, American and British repertoire including, The December Man, Who Has Seen the Wind, The Drawer Boy, Wit, Angels in America and numerous others. Under his leadership, the  Enbridge playRites Festival of New Canadian Plays has come to be recognized as the country’s premiere showcase for new work. The Enbridge playRites Festival has altered the face of Canadian contemporary theatre in launching over ninety new plays since inception in 1987. A majority of these premiered plays have enjoyed lives beyond the Martha Cohen Stage to further production across Canada, the United States and Europe.

ATP Board President J’Val Shuster commented,
“Bob has worked tirelessly to make ATP the great theatre company that it is today. Whether he is developing, commissioning or producing a new play, Bob always ensures that a play receives the highest quality production . Whether he is working with young artists or with young staff who are new to a theatre environment, he has shown great patience, mentorship,  and incomparable leadership. His decision to move on is one that is bitter-sweet. We are excited for his new adventures but we now have some big shoes to fill.”

Bob White is a graduate of Loyola College and the University of Alberta. In 1987, Bob received the first National Play Development Award for his contributions to Canadian dramaturgy. He is also a holder of the 125th Anniversary Medal for distinguished contributions to Canadian Theatre, and has also received three Dr. Betty Mitchell Awards (six nominations in all) for Outstanding Direction. In 2001, he was awarded the Harry and Martha Cohen Award for significant and sustained contribution to theatre in Calgary. In 2003, he received the Community Achievement Award – Arts from the City of Calgary.

ATP’s Board of Directors has struck a search committee, who will be conducting a national search for Bob’s successor. Details on the timeline and process of submitting an application will be forthcoming.

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For more information, contact Adam Stephens
Publicist and Promotions Coordinator at
(403) 294-7475 ext. 1504 or at astephens@ATPlive.com