OTTAWA – Peter Hinton is stepping down after seven years as artistic director of English theatre at the National Arts Centre.
Hinton is credited with engineering several significant initiatives since joining the NAC in 2005.
In 2006, he programmed the first all-Canadian season at the centre’s English theatre and has made a special commitment to Canadian playwrights, including annual productions by aboriginal artists.
He also spearheaded the re-establishment of the centre’s Resident English Theatre Company in 2009, which now draws more than 30 actors from across the country to work on productions each year.
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Hinton became known for addressing audiences from the stage before the curtain rose each night and his personal connection to theatre-goers is credited with helping build a devoted following.
His departure is effective next August.
“Peter Hinton is a builder and he leaves the NAC in much better shape artistically with his visionary role,” Peter Herrndorf, the NAC’s president and CEO, said in a statement.
“Peter Hinton has become a true mentor to the students of the National Theatre School. … We will miss his passionate commitment to artists and to his audience.”
Hinton said it was a privilege to work at the NAC, which he called “a unique gift to the people of Canada.”
“I have learned so much about Canada and the vitality of our national theatre community,” he said.
Hinton will program the NAC’s 2012-2013 English theatre season and he will help select the members of the its Resident English Theatre Company.
Hinton was named an officer of the Order of Canada in December 2009.
A search committee has been formed to find his successor.
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