If you'd like to lead one of the city's major theatre companies, now might be the time to polish up your resume.
After 13 years, Le Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario (TNO) artistic director Geneviève Pineault has just announced she's leaving the company to become executive director of Association des théâtres francophones du Canada.
The organization represents Canadian Francophone theatre companies outside of Quebec.
There's been quite a shakeup with the leadership of local theatre companies in recent months, with Pineault being just the latest executive to announce she's leaving.
Last November, Theatre Cambrian announced long-time executive director Mark Mannisto had parted ways with the organization. He was replaced in January by Dennis Cropper, the company's former board president.
Then in May, Sudbury Theatre Centre said general manager Scott Florence had left the company, and earlier this month, it announced its artistic executive director, Caleb Marshall, is also leaving STC.
Pineault, who's also TNO's co-executive director, said in her case, she was looking for new professional challenges after 13 years with TNO. She said also said she felt it was time someone else contributed their artistic vision to the company.
Pineault will be moving to Ottawa — her hometown — for her new job.
“I felt that with my experience here, I could bring it to the association and be able to contribute to the theatre community, but from a different perspective now,” she said. “I can now help it at a national level.”
Because TNO is a member of the Association des théâtres Francophones du Canada, Pineault was able to arrange staying on with TNO part-time in a transitional role until somebody fills her old job.
During her time as artistic director, Pineault said she's been proud to bring in performances with English subtitles so Anglophones can enjoy TNO productions.
The theatre company also started producing shows without words for the very young — children aged six months to four years old.
Pineault said she also enjoyed working with Sudbury Theatre Centre on “Rearview” in 2016, the first TNO-STC co-production.
Of course, TNO is especially looking forward to the development of Place des Arts, a $30-million downtown shared arts facility that will focus on Francophone culture, though not exclusively.
Twenty years ago, TNO built its theatre on Collège Boréal's campus, but because it's so small, Pineault said she's had to pass on some productions because of the space requirements.
“So with this new building, we'll be able to bring in some shows that we weren't able to in the past, but still keep the rapport and the intimacy between the audience and the artists,” she said.
Pineault said she wants to thank the Greater Sudbury community for always being so welcoming to her.
“I've always felt that I was part of the family,” she said. “I'm sure they'll extend that welcome to my successor.”
