Downstage Artistic Director Simon Mallet has been listed in Avenue Magazine’s Calgary Top 40 Under 40 for 2011.

Avenue Magazine compiles the Top 40 Under 40 list as a yearly celebration of the city’s brightest and best young people. Simon was one of 350 people nominated for the list this year. 

When Mallett was 25, he created Downstage to showcase political and socially charged issues affecting the community. To date, Downstage has produced more than 20 shows, many of which have received critical acclaim, including a 2010 Betty Mitchell Award for Outstanding New Play for In the Wake.

“It’s not political theatre,” says Mallett. “It’s work that engages politically and socially charged themes. I’m less interested in preaching to the choir and more interested in honest and open discussion.”

To view Simon’s Top 40 Under 40 profile, visit AvenueCalgary.com.