Artistic director of English theatre plans to leave NAC
The National Arts Centre has begun its search for a new artistic director of English theatre after announcing Thursday that Jillian Keiley, who is currently in that position, will conclude her 10-year tenure at the end of August next year.
In a statement, Keiley called her time at the NAC “the most challenging and most fulfilling experience” of her life. She added that she had originally planned to helm the NAC's English theatre program for just eight years.
“Although it cracks me in two, I know it's time to go and pass the torch to a leader with a thrilling new vision for our national theatre,” Keiley said.
NAC president and CEO Christopher Deacon said Keiley was responsible for “radical innovations” that “have created a legacy of positive change.” In particular, Keiley was a champion for diversity, equity and inclusion at the NAC, Deacon said.
During the pandemic, Keiley commissioned works that made up the Grand Acts of Theatre and
Grand Acts of Great Hope series. Both involved theatre companies from across Canada, presenting performances safely in front of local audiences that were later shared online. She also contributed last fall to the NAC's response to
anti-Black racism with the introduction of the co-curator company in residence program.
Keiley will program works for the NAC's 2022-23 season to be presented after her departure. Her successor is to begin Sept. 1, 2022, and the closing date for applications is Aug. 29, 2021, according to the NAC's career opportunities webpage.