Leading with vision
New artistic director plans to develop local talent
White Rock native Ashlie Corcoran feels “blessed” to be named the next artistic director of Vancouver’s Arts Club Theatre Company.
“I really feel so blessed to be coming back to do what I love where my grandmother, my aunt and uncles, my brother all live,” Corcoran told Postmedia News Wednesday.
Corcoran replaces longtime artistic director Bill Millerd, who will end his 46-year stint with the Arts Club after the 2017-18 season.
“It’s such an honour to get to work with this amazing legacy that Bill has created and built up at the Arts Club, and I’m so passionate about continuing to work on strengthening the great work that has been done before me.”
During the course of Millerd’s term, he mentored such renowned talents as Michael J. Fox, Michael Buble, Nicola Cavendish and Eric McCormack, as well as building the Arts Club into one of the biggest urban theatres in Canada.
Corcoran is artistic director at Thousand Islands Playhouse in Gananoque, Ont. She will assume the artistic leadership of the Arts Club in October, when she will begin programming the 20182019 season.
“Besides running Thousand Islands Playhouse, I also still run Theatre Smash, as well as doing a lot of freelance directing: keeping busy doing what I love is my life,” said Corcoran.
Corcoran is very committed to local writers and talent and sees the Arts Club as key in helping them develop their skills. One of the things she aims to do is bring in some of the community engagement models she has seen working in the U.S. and UK.
“I am excited to immerse myself in Vancouver’s cultural community ... My vision is for the Arts Club to be internationally renowned, driving the development of local theatrical talent and voices, while deeply engaging with its community, audience and stakeholders.”
“There is just so much exciting work happening on every level in Canada right now, from our playwrights producing work that resonates around the world,” said Corcoran.
“We have brilliant, visionary artists at the helm making incredible work.”
Corcoran is one of them, and now she can call the Arts Club Theatre home.