News: (Toronto) Tarragon names new GM - TO Fringe's Gideon Arthurs

Tarragon Press release:

TARRAGON THEATRE ANNOUNCES NEW GENERAL MANAGER

TORONTO, December 22, 2011 – Tarragon Theatre is pleased to announce that Gideon Arthurs has been appointed as General Manager of Tarragon Theatre.

“I am delighted to be joining Tarragon and to be working with Richard Rose and the wonderful Tarragon team,” says Arthurs. “Tarragon Theatre is the spiritual home of Canadian theatre and I am honoured and thrilled to have the chance to serve its powerful community of artists and dedicated audiences.  I’ve enjoyed my time enormously at the Toronto Fringe and am really looking forward to this amazing new adventure.”

Arthurs is currently the Executive Director of The Toronto Fringe Festival. Arthurs has extensive experience in the theatre, as Company Manager for Soulpepper and founder and Artistic Producer of Groundwater Productions with his partner, playwright Erin Shields.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts and has produced and directed numerous independent theatre productions at the Fringe, Tarragon Theatre, SummerWorks, Theatre Passe Muraille, FemFest and the Uno Festival.

“Gideon brings enthusiasm, effectiveness and his unique perspective to Tarragon” says Laura Dinner, President of Tarragon Theatre’s Board of Directors. 

“I first met Gideon when Tarragon produced Groundwater Production’s If We Were Birds.  In partnership with Erin Shields and Alan Dilworth (a former recipient of the Urjo Kareda Residency Grant), the production stunned the critical and theatrical community and went on to win the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama,” says Tarragon Artistic Director, Richard Rose. “Gideon’s belief in new Canadian plays, dedication and support of Canadian culture make him an excellent and natural choice for General Manager of the Tarragon.”  

Randy Sabourin, The Toronto Fringe Festival board President congratulates Arthurs on his appointment: “Everyone at the Fringe wishes Gideon all the best in continuing the success he has created here at the Fringe Festival.”

Arthurs will continue in his role at The Toronto Fringe Festival until completion of the festival in July, 2012.  Tarragon thanks Interim General Manager Susan Moffat for her continued commitment and essential contribution to Tarragon until Arthur’s fulltime commencement as Tarragon Theatre General Manager in August 2012.