Adam Mitchell, Executive Director of Edmonton Fringe Theatre, presenter of the Edmonton International Fringe Festival, to step down
Shivani Naidu-Barrett, Edmonton Fringe Theatre Adventures Board Chair, along with the Board, announced today that Adam Mitchell will step down as Executive Director of Edmonton Fringe Theatre, effective March 26, 2021.
“Adam has provided admirably calm and steady leadership during his five-year tenure with Fringe,” said Naidu-Barrett. “He will be greatly missed by the organization and the community, but we are excited to see what the future holds for him.”
“I have been a fringer for more than 20 years,” said Mitchell. “I have been a proud agent, advocate and supporter of the organization. In my time as Executive Director, I have seen the Fringe experience for artists, staff and patrons grow as we’ve transformed its operations, governance structures, artistic pursuits, and community connections. We’ve renewed commitments to long standing relationships and built new ones,” he added. “I am proud that we have returned to our roots as the place where independent artists thrive here in Edmonton, and that we continue to provide positive leadership worldwide.”
Naidu-Barrett indicated that the search process for Mitchell’s successor will begin in Fall 2021. In the meantime, the Board has named Megan Dart Interim Executive Director. Dart will oversee organizational priorities and the production of the 40th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival in collaboration with Fringe’s administrative team until a successful candidate is named.
“We are excited to welcome Megan into this Interim role. She brings a wealth of experience to the position, and we have great confidence in her ability to steward the organization through what is a challenging time for arts organizations,” said Naidu-Barrett.
With close ties to the local community, and as someone who has worked with Fringe in several roles over the years, Dart brings 15 years’ experience as an event producer, arts administrator, and communications professional to the role.
“I am honoured to support Fringe in this time of transition,” said Dart. “I am incredibly grateful to the Board for the opportunity to collaborate with Fringe’s passionate and talented team in the coming months as we navigate an uncertain Festival season due to evolving health restrictions and pandemic realities. Organizing a festival is much more complex and challenging this year, and we expect the Festival will look very different. In fact, it might more closely resemble our very first Fringe Theatre Event in 1982!” continued Dart.
Naidu-Barrett also noted that Mitchell and Dart will work with Murray Utas, Fringe Theatre Adventures Artistic Director, and the Board on the succession timeline and in the recruitment process. Details on the search will be posted to fringetheatre.ca in the coming weeks.
Media contact:
Catherine Bangel
Bangel PR
catherine@bangelpr.ca