Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Contact, John E McGrath, has announced that he will be leaving his post in January 2009.
John, who has headed the multi-award winning Contact since its redevelopment in 1999 will take up a new role as Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Wales.
Contact is Manchester’s home for explosive new theatre. Since 1999 it has established an international reputation for provocative and challenging work, encouraging artists to push the boundaries of what theatre is and what it can be. John’s legacy at Contact includes its acclaimed work with young people, inspiring future theatre makers and artists to make life changing journeys.
He also spearheaded the biennial Contacting the World international theatre festival, which last week celebrated huge success welcoming around 250 young people from across the globe in a week-long series of performances and workshops as part of the Liverpool08 Capital of Culture event.
Contact’s numerous awards include the Arts Council Breakthrough Award for Pioneering Work in the Arts, the TMA Eclipse Award for Cultural Diversity in Theatre, the Art 04 Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts and a 2006 NESTA Leadership Award.
John says:
“The past 9 years at Contact have been truly exhilarating. There are so many extraordinary, creative individuals involved with the company. I know that Contact’s artists, young people and staff are going to make astonishing work in the coming years – and I will certainly be coming back as often as possible to gain inspiration.”
Contact Chairman, Charles Lauder says:
“On behalf of the Trustees and staff at Contact, I would like to extend our huge thanks to John whose dedication, commitment and inspiration has been instrumental in our success. Under his leadership, Contact has developed in to a creative, diverse and vibrant place, important in the lives of young people and acclaimed in the world of theatre. Of course, it is always sad to lose talented people, but we intend to secure a new Chief Executive and Artistic Director who will continue to take Contact forward from success to success in the future.”
