The nation-wide hunt for a new lead is on for an Oak Bay-based performing arts school.
After six years at the helm of the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA), managing artistic director Caleb Marshall heads for the Maritimes with his family in mid-June.
He has accepted a position as managing director of both Festival Antigonish Summer Theatre and Theatre Antigonish.
“We had hoped to continue working with Caleb, as his leadership has been exceptional, but understand family and opportunity come first. During his tenure, CCPA received the prestigious Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Award in 2022, was named one of Canada’s Top Acting Schools by Casting Workbook in 2021 and was honoured with a traditional Indigenous blanket ceremony in 2020,” board chair Roxanne Helme said in a news release.
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Accomplishments at CCPA include steering the college through the pandemic to be among the few programs in the country to successfully return in-person in September 2020; implementing college-wide equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and wellness initiatives; refining and updating the Acting and Career Management curriculum; and spearheading renovations, including new multi-purpose and audio-visual studios. During his tenure, the college broke Royal McPherson Theatre Society box office records with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and in-house with Pride & Prejudice and The Drowsy Chaperone.
“Over my time, I have had the opportunity to support immensely talented students and an incredibly dedicated faculty and staff. Together, we have achieved some remarkable milestones, and I am immensely proud of the contributions we have made together, fostering the next generation of the performing arts community at such a pivotal time in its development,” Marshall said.
CCPA’s director of education, Danielle Meunier, adds interim managing director to her portfolio when Marshall leaves.
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Over the past three years working alongside Marshall, Meunier has raised the quality of programs and led the implementation of robust student mental health and accommodated learning supports. Her career spanning 20+ years in higher education leadership, educational planning, and artistic practice will ensure stability and continuity for the institution.
“CCPA is a remarkable and special place. I wish the college continued success and prosperity in the future. Danielle has been a tremendous partner and is one of the college’s greatest assets. The institution could not be in better hands during this transition,” Marshall said.
He plans to continue supporting CCPA in an advisory capacity.
The school landed Marshall in 2018 after a nationwide search led by the Canadian Heritage Arts Society board of directors and co-founders Jacques Lemay and Janis Dunning.
This round, the a committee chaired by board member Bob Plecas, hope to have a permanent appointment by the beginning of the new academic year.
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