Chair’s Message As I reflect on the five years I’ve served on Buddies’ board of directors, I can see how all the positive steps forward – and one or two setbacks – have brought us to our current position of strength. The Harper and Ford years weren’t fun for anyone in the arts sector or the LGBT movement, so the new political landscape is of course welcome. But here at the home of queer theatre, we’ve become an ever more resilient family. And rather than protecting our own turf, as we see happening globally in these bizarre political times, we’ve thrown open our doors to become ever more welcoming to diverse voices and opinions. This opening up began under the auspices of former Artistic Director Brendan Healy and continues in very meaningful ways under Evalyn Parry, whom we welcomed after an intensive hiring process in the fall of 2016. I couldn’t be prouder to be the lesbian feminist Chair of an organization with a lesbian feminist Artistic Director. Evalyn and General Manager Shawn Daudlin delivered a 2015/16 season so packed with mind-blowing programming that they and all the staff moved in a blur for a solid ten months, slowing only to listen attentively to patrons, funders, donors, artists, and other stakeholders. Their knowledge of the Canadian theatre landscape will serve us well as we launch future seasons and prepare for major improvements to 12 Alexander Street. I think it’s fair to say that a Buddies renaissance is underway! Keeping up with a crack team of employees, the board of directors has also grown into our role as stewards of this invaluable cultural resource, putting in place so many of the structural and policy pieces such a bustling enterprise demands. On behalf of the board, I thank the artists, staff, and supporters whose impact reaches so far.
Mary Breen Chair, Board of Directors