Executive Director of the Grand Theatre stepping down after 22 years
Deb Harvey arrived at the historic Grand Theatre in London, Ont. at a time when it was in danger of closing its doors. Twenty-two years later she is stepping down as executive director after overseeing 21 years of surpluses.
“Our industry is calling for change. At the Grand, as we re-open post-COVID, we talk about telling new stories and hearing new voice. Some of those new voices need to be those of new leaders,” said Harvey in a statement.
President of the Board of Directors of the Grand Theatre Anita Shah announced Thursday in a release that Harvey would be stepping down after the 2021/22 season.
“We knew this day was coming eventually, but that doesn’t make it any easier,” said Shah in a statement. “It will be difficult to replace Deb, her leadership, and her dedication to the theatre.”
Harvey first arrived in London 22 years ago on a six-month contract at a time when the theatre was in danger of shutting down due to debt.
Since then she led the theatre to 21 straight years of surplus, a streak broken only last year due to COVID-19.
She has been a staple in the community with her more than two decades with the Grand Theatre. In that time, she has worked with 11 board presidents, three different artistic directors and six mayors.
In 2019 she was awared the YMCA Women of Excellence Award, and has been specifically supportive of the many youth programs at the Grand such as the High School Project.
Harvey said she looks forward to enjoying the newly renovated space in her last year and that she will continue to put her whole hear into her work until her last day as executive director.
“We need to get back to business, tell new stories, share our new spaces, and welcome audiences back. And most importantly, together, we are planning for the bright future that lies ahead for the Grand.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.