VERTIGO THEATRE ANNOUNCES NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

 The Board of Directors of Vertigo Theatre are proud to announce Jack Grinhaus, as the incoming Artistic Director.

 Board Chair, Garry Holbrook says “Following consultation with the staff, board, community and numerous Vertigo Stakeholders, the board searched both locally and nationally for someone we knew could both support and advance the art and deepen the relationship with artists and our communities. Jack was a unanimous decision. His energy, relationships with local artists, national experience, and his commitment to supporting diverse artists and audiences is well known. We are excited for him to bring that passion and experience to the Calgary community.”

Vertigo Theatre used the services of Martin Bragg & Associates to conduct an extensive, local, provincial, and national search.

 Jack comes to Vertigo after 5 seasons as Artistic Director at Theatre NorthWest (TNW) in BC,17 years as Co-Artistic Director of the hit Indie company Bound to Create Theatre (with actor and playwright partner Lauren Brotman) and was the Associate Artistic Director at The Grand Theatre. He has programmed/produced over 50 productions, half of which he directed.

 “This is a full-circle moment for me. Much of my career has dealt with stories of intrigue, suspense, and excitement. My aim is to maintain the long-standing traditions that have made Vertigo a success, continuing the conversation around the genre of mystery with our audiences, while also seeing how we can expand its reach to promote Vertigo and the talent involved.”

 With works that include the North American premiere of Debbie Tucker Green’s DIRTY BUTTERFLY (Obsidian Theatre); the four-time Dora Mavor Moore Nominated World premiere of Meegwun Fairbrother’s ISITWENDAM (Native Earth Performing Arts); and the original adaptation and direction of Hedda Gabler called HEDDA NOIR (TNW); Grinhaus has established a career focused on exciting, engaging, and highly theatrical productions.

Executive Director, Rose Brow, says “Vertigo Theatre has seen extraordinary artistic growth over the last several years. We look forward to welcoming Jack to the company, excited to see his passion for the mystery genre continue to expand our artistic vision and community reach.”

Long known for his inclusive and community-based focus, Grinhaus feels that his upcoming time in Calgary is inevitable. “Having worked across Canada, I found myself visiting Calgary and seeing the work here many times over the years, and am always amazed by the talent. With family and friends all over Alberta, along with some of the best artists I know and have worked with, I am both humbled and honoured to be in a position where I can inspire, and be inspired, by this community. I want nothing more than to support and provide for this incredibly successful theatre that is so in line with my own artistic focus.”

Jack Grinhaus will officially begin at Vertigo Theatre in September 2022.