tcTAKEOUT Episode 29: Katie McMillan and Mark Limacher perform "They Can't Take That Away From Me"

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 Sondheim (Boston Pops), and Billy Elliot: The Musical, The Secret Garden, Mary and Max - A New Musical, and A Christmas Carol (2019) (Theatre Calgary). Arima has shepherded new musical development at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, National Alliance for Musical Theatre, Toronto Fringe Festival, 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

Interim Executive Director

Jim Reader

Interim Executive Director

Theatre Calgary would like to welcome James Reader to our team, in the role of Interim Executive
Director.

Jim has spent more than 40 years in the financial services industry with ATB Financial, and Scotiabank.
Recently, Jim has provided independent relationship and financial guidance to boards (public or private),
owners, investors, private equity and more.

Prior to this appointment, Jim served on the Theatre Calgary Board of Directors since 2015. His previous not-for-profit board experience includes the Calgary Opera, and the YMCA. Jim also sits on the board of private companies which include the Economic Development Council of the Tsuut’ina Nation.

Jim is a Corporate Finance graduate of the University of Alberta, and a recipient of the 2005 Alberta Centenary Medal recognizing public service to society.

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.

  • Theatre Calgary Society Board Members 2020-21
      • Craig Senyk
      • Chair
      • President, Mawer Investment Management Ltd.
      • Tricia Leadbeater
      • Vice Chair
      • Director Wealth Management, Richardson GMP
      • Joy Alford
      • Corporate Secretary
      • Kelly Bernakevitch
      • Audit & Finance Committee Chair
      • Kate Abbott
      • Kate E A Abbott Professional Corporation
      • Peter Edwards
      • The NOLUS Corporation
      • 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
      • Margo Randles
      • Past Chair
      • Active Community Volunteer
      • Catherine Samuel
      • Artistic Committee Chair
      • Partner, McCarthy Tetrault LLP
      • Dr. Norman Schachar, M.D.
      • University of Calgary Department of Surgery
      • Maggie Schofield
      • Facility Committee Chair
      • Carol Shmygol
      • Senior Vice President of Brand, ATB Financial
      • Kirsty Sklar
      • Governance Committee Chair
      • Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
      • Edith Wenzel
      • President, International Results Group
      • Ward Zimmer
      • CFO, Bursting Silver
  • Theatre Calgary Endowment Foundation Board Members 2020-21
      • Peter Edwards
      • Chair
      • The NOLUS Corporation
      • Ryan Hoult
      • Vice Chair
      • Partner, Rice & Company LLP
      • Ward Zimmer
      • Secretary / Treasurer
      • CFO, Bursting Silver
      • Andrew Bateman
      • Partner, Felesky Flynn LLP
      • Ellen Chidley
      • Consultant
      • Chris Lee
      • Vice Chair and Board Member at Deloitte
      • Chadwick Newcombe
      • Kahane Law Office
      • Al Osten