Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (January 21, 2016) — At a ceremony last evening, Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell was invested into the Order of Ontario by the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario. As the province’s highest official honour, the Order of Ontario recognizes individual excellence and achievement in any field.
“As Jackie enters her final season as Artistic Director of the Shaw Festival, it is a fitting time to recognize her contribution to the Province and the Canadian theatre landscape at large,” says Tim Jennings, Executive Director. “Jackie’s fourteen seasons here have been characterized by her enthusiasm for the artistic process, her deep investment in the exploration of modern Shavians and her championing of Canadian talent.”
Ms. Maxwell's inspired, creative and imaginative leadership has kept the Shaw Festival at the forefront of cultural life in Ontario, Canada and beyond. During her tenure, Ms. Maxwell expanded The Shaw’s mandate to include contemporary playwrights, while also shining a light on female playwrights past and present. She regularly commissions new works from Canadian writers, showcasing the depth of talent this province and country has to offer. Ms. Maxwell is also known for championing equality of plays, players and creative talent.
“Jackie’s passion for her work is apparent in every season she programs and every show she directs, and I couldn’t be happier to see her contributions recognized,” says Andrew M. Pringle, Chair of the Shaw Festival’s Board of Governors. “She works tirelessly to ensure the Shaw Festival is a world-class, progressive cultural voice that brings Ontarians and international audiences alike to Niagara-on-the-Lake season after season.”
"My 15 years here at The Shaw have been amongst the most rewarding in my creative life and so to have them recognized by this great honour is hugely gratifying and deeply moving," says Jackie Maxwell, Artistic Director.
The Shaw Festival’s 2016 season is on stage April 9 through October 16. The playbill features Alice in Wonderland, A Woman of No Importance, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Uncle Vanya, “Master Harold” …and the Boys, The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God, Our Town, Mrs Warren’s Profession, Engaged and The Dance of Death. Tickets for the Shaw Festival’s 2016 Season are available through the Box Office at 1-800-511-7429 or online at www.shawfest.com.
Photo: Jackie Maxwell. ©2015 John Law.
2016-01-21
Niagara-on-the-Lake: Shaw Festival's Jackie Maxwell receives the Order of Ontario