Centre Stage Theatre Announces Change of Leadership For 2011-2012 Season
After nine years of creating inspiring Theatre For Young Audiences in Calgary, Artistic Director and Founder Bonnie Gratz is leaving the post and company member Christie Vieira will take over as the new AD effective June 1.
“As founder of the company I am incredibly proud of the work we have created, all of the schools and regional theatres we have visited and the creative experiences we have provided for children and teens in our theatre school. It has been a lot of work, but a true labour of love for me and my family; one that I will miss. My favorite part of the role was being able to collaborate with all of the amazing artists we have right here in Alberta.”
Over the past nine years under Gratz’ leadership, Centre Stage has produced over 30 works, with seven being world premieres. Centre Stage now tours extensively throughout Alberta and British Columbia, doing over 150 shows a year. According to a Calgary Arts Development study from 2009*, Centre Stage Theatre was in the top 1% of professional companies in the city to provide Arts Educational Opportunities for families and top 3% of Public Arts Activities offered. In 2008, Centre Stage took over as the house company for Stage West’s Theatre For Kids, regularly selling out shows.
Bonnie, husband & GM Derek and their two sons have relocated to British Columbia where Derek, a designer, has accepted a position at UBC. Bonnie will stay on as a Artistic Associate, Plays, and work afar from her new home base as well as working as a freelance director and playwright.
“I am excited for the company to have Christie Vieira take the reins. Her extensive experience in Arts Management coupled with her international work as a performer and choreographer will bring great things to the company.”
For her part, new Artistic Director Christie Vieira says, “I am thrilled to be given the chance to bring the skill-set I learned managing a dance company over the last 10 years into my other love: theatre. I realize I have big shoes to fill, but am very much looking forward to taking the incredible foundation that Bonnie has laid and continuing to build on it”. Husband John Vieira, also a performer who originally hails from California, will take on the role of General Manager. The two met as theatre students in New York in the 1990s and are excited to take on the challenges of making Centre Stage a internationally recognized TYA company.
Centre Stage Theatre has announced its 2011-2012 Season which includes a double bill of Manitoba playwright Debbie Patterson’s Munsch musicals-Munschapalooza! and Munsch A Mia; The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged; and Twas The Night Before Christmas & Sleeping Beauty, both penned by Gratz, which will play at Stage West.
For More Information or to arrange an interview, contact Centre Stage at info@centre-stage.ca or call 403-208-6736.
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Centre Stage is a proud member of PACT-The Professional Association of Canadian Theatres.
*Stats from Calgary Arts Development’s A View of Calgary’s Arts Organizations, data based on results from 2010 Operating Grant Applications.
