As of December 31, 2018, Theatre Junction will be leaving THE GRAND theatre in Calgary. After Calgary’s oldest theatre was purchased by Theatre Junction and saved by the company from demolition in 2006, THE GRAND was transformed into a culture house for contemporary live art which served as a home for the creation of Theatre Junction’s multidisciplinary artistic works, and for the presentation of a prestigious program of national and international live art.

“We thank Mark Lawes and the entire company for their commitment to creating and bringing contemporary live art into what has become an artistic culture house for Calgarians,” says Duane Hertzer, Board Chair, THE GRAND. “Building on more than a century of artistic history and storytelling, this change signals a new chapter for THE GRAND focused on embracing a broad new set of creatives looking to engage and delight Calgarians.”

“The artistic and civic mission and engagement of Theatre Junction over the last 12 years at THE GRAND has required a tremendous amount of dedication, love, and energy,” says Mark Lawes, founder and Artistic Director of Theatre Junction, “THE GRAND as it stands is a legacy to Calgary, but now it’s time for Theatre Junction to focus on its core artistic mission, creating and touring nationally and internationally. We leave THE GRAND open to serve Calgarians in its new incarnation, while we continue our more than 25 years’ journey of explorations in artistic creation.”

Effective immediately, Tony McGrath has been appointed CEO of THE GRAND and will oversee day-to-day management as well as the efforts to honour the theatre’s rich history in the arts by re-imagining the theatre’s mandate, and developing a renewed vision for activating the diverse needs of Calgarians in this unique space.