top of page

ARTS LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION

Listen.  Adapt.  Grow.

Catriona-WEB-4.JPG

ARTS  LEADERSHIP& ADMINISTRATION

SUMMARY OF RELEVANT SKILLS


  • Seasoned theatre professional with over 20 years of progressive admin experience, including 9 years of Artistic leadership in various theatrical environments

  • Management training and experience

  • Knowledge of policies, issues and trends related to arts and culture in Canada

  • Knowledge of CTA contracts, Canadian Actors Equity Association, and PACT policies and procedures

  •  Demonstrated success in grant writing with experience on three government levels as well as in the private sector

  • Collaborative Leader with qualities of tact, diplomacy, patience and grace 

  • Staff Recruitment, Management, and Mentorship

  • Project Management and Strategic Planning 

  • Community Outreach & Development

  • Marketing and Public Relations

  • Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills 

  • Ability to interact effectively with stakeholders 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
A COMPANY OF FOOLS

2015-2019

As Artistic Director, reporting directly to the Board of Directors of a Company of Fools, responsible for the creation and direction of all artistic and production activities of the Company including skills listed above as well as:

  • Artistic Activities and Policy 

  • Staff Recruitment, Management and Development

  • Fiscal Responsibility

  • Marketing and Public Relations 

  • Grants and Fundraising

  • Professional Development, Mentorship and Intern Development

  • Prior to being Artistic Director, I was a Fool for Hire and Artistic Associate from 2000-2015 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR
SHAKESPEARE IN ACTION

2019

​A contract position with Toronto's premiere Shakespeare in Education company. I helped to see the company through a transition from being a transient company, theatre without walls, to establishing itself in a brand new Artscape facility in Weston - a diverse and underserved community in North West Toronto.

  • Oversaw, implemented and managed a major pilot education program that reached over 1600 children and teens in underserved inner city communities

  • Identified new, and managed existing, relationships/partnerships and outreach activities with a variety of stakeholders

  • Assisted and advised on producing aspects of inaugural season of Shakespeare in the Shell – an outdoor summer theatre  (logistics, front of house, weather policy, volunteer coordination, marketing and promotion, contracting, etc.)

  • Organized and set up pilot performing arts programs in a new, inner city facility

  • Solicited and analyzed participant and audience evaluation

  • Education Outreach

  • Programming Promotion and Coordination

  • Booking, invoicing and monitoring payment progress

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER & CO-FOUNDING MEMBER  
SUBDEVISION

2011-2019

  • Core member of a collective team overseeing all aspects of producing Ottawa’s a semi-annual event of site specific devised theatre. Theatre taking place in and around a huge party, 8-12 companies create original pieces in response to a non-traditional performance space, which play in rotation throughout the night to a roving audience.

  • Locations have included: St. Paul's United Church (a 100 year old church and multi-faceted facility located in the downtown core0, Enriched Bread Aritsts (an old bread factory turned into visual artist studios), and Arts Court (an old court house turned into a multidisciplinary arts facility)

  • Artistic curation, new play creation, dramaturgy assistance, marketing and promotion, production scheduling, venue and event management, location scouting, community relations, volunteer recruitment, artist liaison, grant writing

  • the 2013 iteration of subDevision was presented at the Magnetic North Theatre Festival

CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
SKELETON KEY THEATRE

2010-2013

  • Working with founding Co-Artistic Director Kate Smith to establish an independent theatre company committed to producing original Canadian work that creates immersive theatrical experiences for its audiences

  • Contributions included setting the foundation, establishing values and an early mandate, new play development (conception through to production), grant writing and reporting, budgeting, hiring and contracting artists

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR OTTAWA FRINGE FESTIVAL

2008-2012

  • Spokesperson, media and promotion for Ottawa’s annual festival of independent theatre

  • Liaison between festival staff and local, national and international artists

  • Programmed and curated late night events for artists and audience in the Fringe Courtyard, including theme nights, entertainment, contests, artist cabarets and live musical acts

  • Hosted a popular nightly live talk show featuring festival artists and other stakeholders

COMMITTEES, ASSOCIATIONS, INTERNSHIPS
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

MEMBER AT LARGE

2020

Kamloops Arts Roundtable, Kamloops
Organized and hosted by Western Canada Theatre Company in response to the impact of Covid-19 on the arts

MEMBER AT LARGE

2015-Present

Safe and Respectful Workplace Task Force
Responsible for advising on the Not in Our Space initiative, as well as other issues surrounding respectful workspace practices

A Canadian Actors Equity Association National Committee

CO-CHAIR/MEMBER AT LARGE

2015-Present

Directors, Choreographers, Fight Directors & Intimacy Directors Committee
Responsible for examining experiences  and practices impacting those listed in the title
A Canadian Actors Equity Association National Committee

MEMBER AT LARGE

2016-2021

Fundraisers, Benefits and Events Committee
Responsible for reviewing existing and making recommendations for revisions to Equity's contracts for members engaging in the types of work listed here.
A Canadian Actors Equity Association National Committee

REGIONAL COUNCILLOR - EASTERN ONTARIO/OUTAOUAIS

2015-2019

Elected representative of Kingston through Gatineau for Canadian Actors Equity Association National Council

STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER

2014-2015

Magnetic North Theatre Festival 
Member of an advisory committee representing interests of Ottawa-based artists

ARTS GRANT JUROR

2014

Ontario Arts Council Theatre Grants

ARTISTIC ASSOCIATE

2012

Artistic Director Internship with Ian Farthing
St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival, Prescott ON 

ARTISTIC ASSOCIATE

2008

Artistic Director Internship with Lise Ann Johnson
Great Canadian Theatre Company, Ottawa, ON

WORKING BOARD MEMBER

2001-2003

Board of Directors
Great Canadian Theatre Company, Ottawa, ON 

bottom of page