Archief TA - Banff Centre Theatre Arts fonds

The Intensive Summer Course in the Arts Related to the Theatre began in 1933 with a three-week summer program in acting, directing, voice and speech, and play production. Playwright and ballet courses were added in 1937, but the latter was not developed into an independent program until 1949, the same year that the Voice and Opera program was established. Music Theatre was added in 1964. With the construction of Eric Harvie Theatre in 1967 and Margaret Greenham Theatre in 1968, the addition of the fifteen- month Theatre Crafts and Design program in 1971, and the introduction of participant auditions in 1973, the division shifted its emphasis from introductory training to professional development, master classes, residencies, and internships. The Playwrights' Colony was established in 1975, and after the introduction of the Centre's year-round program in 1979, the seven-month Music Theatre Ensemble Project began. Professional programs in Dance and Acting followed in 1982 and 1988. In 1994, Music Theatre, Opera, and the Academy of Singing programs were integrated into the new 20th Century Opera and Song program. Theatre Arts programs and facilities were coordinated by individual directors and managers until 1995 when the division was restructured under an Artistic Director/Executive Producer and two Directors responsible for Operations and Production. Between 1949 and 1974 Voice and Opera programs were administered by the Music Department. In 1995 responsibility for writing and publishing programs was transferred to the new Writing and Publishing division. Artistic Directors of the Theatre Complex include Laszlo Funtek (1969-1982). Managers of the Theatre Complex include William Pappas (1983-1994). Managers of Theatre Arts programs include George Ross (1980-1994). Theatre Arts Artistic Directors include Keith Turnbull (1994-). Directors of Operations include George Ross (1994-). Directors of Production include John Avery (1994-).