Changes Afoot for Teatro La Quindicina

 

 

It has been twenty-five years since Edmonton’s Teatro La Quindicina first came into existence, with the presentation of All These Heels at the inaugural Fringe Festival in 1982. In the ensuing two and a half decades Teatro has premiered over sixty new works by Artistic Director/Founder Stewart Lemoine, in addition to numerous revivals and works by other authors both local and international. It is with a great sense of pride and accomplishment therefore that Lemoine announces that the current season, 2006/07, is his last as the company’s head and that he’ll be succeeded as Artistic Director by his longtime colleague Jeff Haslam, an Artistic Associate of Teatro for the past decade and a half. In Lemoine’s own words:

 

“I’m not leaving Teatro, not now, not ever, but I am choosing to focus my attention more particularly in the areas of writing and directing. I’ll be continuing to these things regularly in our upcoming seasons, as well as pursuing some outside projects which my commitment to Teatro’s overall operations haven’t allowed me explore as fully as I needed to in recent seasons. I have complete confidence in Jeff’s ability to lead the company forward in innovative and exciting new directions while maintaining the tone and quality of the work for which we’ve been embraced and celebrated. Jeff’s performances have always set a standard for other members of our ensemble and I think he’s a natural leader. And no, he’s not going to stop acting. Why would I let that happen?”

 

In addition to announcing this new change in its leadership, Teatro is also announcing that its upcoming season will see a reconfiguration of scheduling that has the company going to a spring/summer/autumn festival season after a winter hiatus. Incoming Artistic Director Jeff Haslam explains:

 

“Teatro began as a summer company, presenting shows at the Fringe and the old Phoenix Downtown. We’ve always been happiest coming together to create new projects at this time of year and it’s worth noting that the best attended shows of our last three subscription series have all been in July. This altered schedule allows us more down-time for administration and fundraising and for the development of the new plays we’ll continue to present.. I’m very excited about this new direction as I think it reflects what’s right for the company and it’s what our audiences want as well. I look forward to developing the concept further in conjunction with Stewart Lemoine and Artistic Associates Leona Brausen, Ron Pederson, Sheri Somerville, and Davina Stewart.”

 

The line-up of shows in Teatro’s 2008 season will be announced shortly, and will include a new play by Stewart Lemoine, a revival of one of his classic hits, not seen for over a dozen years, plus the premiere of a new play by Belinda Cornish, continuing the initiative the company began this season to include in each season a new comedy written by a local playwright. And lest the prospect of winter without Teatro is too difficult to contemplate, rest assured that we’ve got a couple exciting special events planned for December and February of the coming season.  

 

 

For further information contact Teatro at 433-3399, voice mailbox #1.