Academy Theatre names new GM, four new board members

The Academy Theatre has named a brand new GM for the new year, along with four new board members — including Lindsay + District Chamber of Commerce President, Bob Armstrong.

In a message sent out widely by email, Academy Theatre Foundation Chair, Mike Piggott, says Craig Metcalf will be the new general manager.

Metcalf “comes to us with more than 30 years of experience in arts and cultural resource management in both the non-profit and municipal sectors. He has worked in a wide range of fields and held senior positions in cultural facility and museum management, national music festivals and a Special Olympics world games,” says the email.

The new GM was appointed the first director of the City of Orillia Department of Culture and Heritage. As such, he piloted the community through “an intensive and innovative cultural planning process,” according to Piggott.

Metcalf will begin his duties at the Academy beginning Jan. 6.

Piggott also writes that the Academy has confirmed four new board members are joining the current board of six.

They are Bob Armstrong, the Lindsay Chamber president, Robyn James, a marketing and branding expert and co-founder of the Kawartha Climate Club, Chris Marshall, director of development services for the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Janine Mitchell, manager of social services for the City of Kawartha Lakes.

“Each bring a wealth of knowledge, energy and enthusiasm,” Piggott writes. “We look forward to the contribution of their talents to the Academy team.”

The Academy has had some difficult years, as reported in the Advocate recently, with at least nine general managers at the theatre since 2006. They have recently lost staff, including long-time manager of administrative services, Loretta Kingston.