The Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Boomer Stacey as its new Executive Director. An accomplished artist, arts manager, and internationally respected cultural advocate and engager, Boomer’s reputation in both the Canadian and global arts landscape makes him a uniquely qualified and exciting leader of the country’s largest organization serving a wide breadth of professional theatre companies, practices, and conversations.

“It is an important and new chapter for PACT as we evolve our ability to make meaningful impact towards the discourse of what makes Canadian professional theatre dynamic, important, and for everyone,” say Board President Nina Lee Aquino and Vice-President Mike Payette. “Boomer’s understanding of this and his hunger to lead that charge is palpable and his expertise in a wide breadth of areas within the sector is equally inspiring and empowering.”

Boomer’s vast resume includes time at the Harbourfront Centre as Artistic Director of the Milk International Children’s Festival of the Arts as well as serving as Executive Director of the International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY), the largest conference of its kind in North America. Within Canada, Boomer is no stranger to PACT having served nine years as its stalwart conference producer while spearheading the Learning and Networking portfolio, and for several months, he has worked as Interim Executive Director. In these capacities, he has already proven to be integral to PACT and has been an invaluable resource on various issues that affect not only our members but also our country’s continued fight for arts advocacy.

“PACT has always been an organization that works to support and serve the needs of our members,” notes Boomer. “I commit to taking the challenge for us to give space to all voices and make welcome all that have not felt included. We need to support and serve the needs of all Canadian theatre makers and those that contribute to putting those stories on stage.”

PACT launched a national Executive Director search in May, with a six-person selection committee which included representation from the executive and board of directors as well as prominent community leaders.

“With this team – this leadership – this board – and this community – I am ready for inspiring, provoking, gathering, and listening,” says Boomer. “I am honoured and excited to have been selected to lead the organization at this time in our journey as well as in this moment of change.”

Boomer will begin his tenure as Executive Director effective immediately.