After an almost seven-year tenure that included the creation of such works as The Highest Step in the World, Tomorrow’s Child and The Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst David van Belle is leaving his position as Ghost River Theatre’s Co-Artistic Director. Eric Rose will assume the full Artistic Directorship of the company effective July 1, 2015.
David began his work at Ghost River Theatre after a seven-year stint with One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre. His latest play, Liberation Days, premiered at Theatre Calgary and Western Canada Theatre this past season. In September 2015 he’ll be marking twenty years since his first professional work at Kitchener, Ontario’s Theatre & Company.
Van Belle’s transition out of his current role at Ghost River has been in company planning since September 2014. He will be leaving the Co-Artistic Directorship to devote more time to his writing and his young family. Nevertheless, he will be maintaining a close association with Ghost River Theatre as Creator-in-Residence. Starting this fall van Belle will be co-creating a new production, GIANT, with Eric Rose. In April 2016 they will present a peek at this new work in partnership with Alberta Theatre Projects.
Ghost River Theatre is pleased to bring on a new artistic associate, Andraea Sartison, beginning in September. Sartison has collaborated with Ghost River Theatre on a number of projects, including serving as Assistant Director on The Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst. She will be joining Eric Rose and Managing Director Mandy Clarke Dale as a vital part of the Ghost River Theatre team.