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Artistic Director

Stafford Arima

Artistic Director

"Our theatre will forever be a home that reflects the communities, the country, and the world we live in – a diverse, complex, stimulating world."

Born and raised in Toronto, Arima thrived in the New York theatre scene for over 20 years. In 2015, he became the first Asian Canadian to direct a musical on Broadway when Allegiance opened at the Longacre Theatre, starring George Takei and Lea Salonga. Arima was also nominated for a 2004 Olivier Award for his direction of the West End premiere of the musical, Ragtime. Some additional directing credits include productions of Altar Boyz (Off-Broadway) Carrie (MCC Theater, Off-Broadway), The Tin Pan Alley Rag (Roundabout Theatre Company), Red Velvet (The Old Globe Theatre), Poster Boy (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living In Paris (Stratford Festival), Abyssinia (Goodspeed Musicals), A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim (Boston Pops), and Mary and Max A New Musical, The Secret Garden, and Billy Elliot the Musical (Theatre Calgary). Arima has also shepherded new musical development at the Toronto Fringe Festival, New York Musical Theatre Festival, National Alliance for Musical Theatre, New York Stage and Film, and the SPF Festival. He is a graduate of York University, where he was the recipient of the Dean’s Prize for Excellence in Creative Work. He also serves as Artistic Advisor for Broadway Dreams, and is an Adjunct Professor at UC Davis. staffordarima.com

Executive Director

Jon Jackson

Executive Director

“We are making bold moves towards the future of Theatre Calgary, creating a plan moving that will allow us to entertain, delight and continue to bring the joy of live theatre to our diverse audiences for years to come.”

Jon Jackson joined Theatre Calgary as the new Executive Director in June of 2018, bringing more than 20 years of marketing experience and working across numerous industries. He brings strong business skills from his diverse background, helping Theatre Calgary achieve the artistic vision of Stafford Arima, and advance our desire to stand among the best theatres globally.

He previously held the position of Executive Director with Niagara Falls Tourism, where he led Niagara Falls Tourism to become the #1 destination marketing organization in Canada and helped welcome over 15 million visitors a year. Jackson's credentials also include Executive Director of the Calgary Hotel Association, Chief Executive Officer with Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, Ticket Sales Manager with the Calgary Stampede, and Director of Marketing with Durham Radio. During his time with the Calgary Hotel Association, he received a Globe and Mail Business for the Arts Award (Best Entrepreneurial Partnership) for the Remarkable Experience Accelerator with Calgary Arts Development.

Theatre Calgary Staff

Administration Office:  403.294.7440
Audience Services:  403.294.7447

Board of Directors

Theatre Calgary is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are passionate about the arts and bring unique knowledge, skill sets and valuable networks to Theatre Calgary. The Board is elected each September at the Annual General Meeting.

  • Board Executive 2019-20

    Board Executive 2018-19

      • Craig Senyk
      • Chair
      • President, Mawer Investment Management Ltd.
      • Tricia Leadbeater
      • Vice Chair
      • Director Wealth Management, Richardson GMP
      • Kathryn Heath
      • Vice Chair
      • Joy Alford
      • Corporate Secretary
      • Catherine Samuel
      • Artistic Committee Chair
      • Partner, McCarthy Tetrault LLP
      • Kelly Bernakevitch
      • Audit & Finance Committee Chair
      • Richard S. Hannah
      • Sponsorship Development Committee Chair
      • IT Consultant
      • Kirsty Sklar
      • Governance Committee Chair
      • Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
      • Maggie Schofield
      • Facility Committee Chair
      • James Reader
      • Human Resources Committee Chair
      • Margo Randles
      • Past Chair
      • Active Community Volunteer
  • Board Members
      • Kate Abbott
      • Peter Edwards
      • The NOLUS Corporation
      • Stephen Hair
      • Artistic Consultant
      • Narmin Ismail-Teja
      • Principal, impact@work inc.
      • Cherry Ma
      • Principal & Manager of Investor Reporting, Azimuth Capital Management
      • John MacAulay
      • Regional President, BMO Bank of Montreal
      • Riaz Mamdani
      • CEO, Strategic Group
      • Chad Newcombe
      • Kahane Law Office
      • Paul Polson
      • Vice President, Stuart Olson Construction
      • Dr. Norman Schachar, M.D.
      • University of Calgary Department of Surgery
      • Carol Schmygol
      • Senior Vice President of Brand, ATB Financial
      • Edith Wenzel
      • President, International Results Group
      • Ward Zimmer
      • Independent Consultant
  • Theatre Calgary Endowment Foundation Board Executive 2019-20
      • Peter Edwards
      • Chair
      • The NOLUS Corporation
      • Ryan Hoult
      • Vice Chair
      • Partner, Rice & Company LLP
      • Ward Zimmer
      • Secretary / Treasurer
      • Independent Consultant
  • Theatre Calgary Endowment Foundation Board Members
      • Andrew Bateman
      • Ian Beddis
      • Former Director & Branch Manager (Retired), Scotia McLeod, Inc.
      • Ellen Chidley
      • Consultant
      • Alan Moon
      • Crescent Enterprises Inc.
      • Chadwick Newcombe
      • Kahane Law Office