National Arts Centre (Canada). Theatre Dept : In 1967-68, the Board of Trustees agreed to cooperate with the Stratford Festival Foundation in the creation of the Stratford National Theatre of Canada (the Stratford company was to become the NAC's English-language theatre company for the winter months). The Board authorized the Executive Committee to appoint an artistic director to create a new French language theatre company for the NAC. The Board approved the idea of a mobile summer theatre in the National Capital Region. David Haber was appointed Theatre Administrator. Guy Sabourin was named Artistic Director of the French Theatre Company. In 1969-70, the Stratford National Theatre offered a season of theatre in English. The NAC's Theatre du Capricorne offered a season of French theatre. By the end of the season, however, the Theatre du Capricone suffered internal difficulties, and most of the company resigned. Mr. Sabourin resigned as well. In 1970-71, the Board decided to create a Theatre Department. Miss Jean Roberts was appointed as Director of Theatre, while Jean Herbiet was named Associate Director (for French Theatre). The NAC hired Michael Bawtree and Jean Herbiet as resident theatre directors. Mr. Bawtree created a resident company, Centre Studio, but things went badly, and Mr. Bawtree resigned at the end of January 1971. Mr. Herbiet organized Le Groupe du Studio. By 1971-72, the arrangement with the Stratford Theatre Company withered away and died. The NAC determined to create its own small resident theatre companies. The Theatre Company assumed responsibility for its own youth programming. In the same season, the National Arts Centre Theatre Company presented its first productions. With respect to youth programming, a six-member theatre company called The Hexagon was established; its goal was to provide theatre throughout the country and to provide training for young actors and actresses. In the 1974-75 season, the NAC through its "National Arts Centre Theatre Company" produced two of its own productions; as such, the NAC had resident production but, as yet, no true resident companies. During this year, Timothy Findley was playwright-in-residence at the NAC. In 1976-77, Jean Roberts resigned as Director of the Theatre Department and Artistic Director of English Theatre. Jean Gascon became the Director of the Theatre Department. Jean Herbiet remained as Artistic Director of French Theatre. In 1977-78, Jean Gascon succeeded Jean Roberts as Director of Theatre; John Wood became Artistic Director of English Theatre. In 1978-79, the NAC created a permanent resident theatre company. In 1981-82, Jean Herbiet left the NAC to become Director of the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris. Andre Brassard was appointed to succeed Herbiet as Director of French Theatre. In 1983-84, John Wood completed his last year at the NAC as English Theatre Artistic Director. Andis Celms was appointed Producer, NAC Theatre Department. He had overall responsibility for NAC theatre operations, including programming of the English theatre season. RG149 General Inventory
