A former theatrical entrepreneur and camp operator is Central Alberta Theatre’s new operations and facility director.
Daniel Tyrrell, who has been working with CAT since August, said he moved here from Vancouver because the business aspect and challenge of the job appealed to him. It also offered a good change of pace, he admitted, adding “I’ve never been to Red Deer before.”
The 42-year-old said he has more than 20 years of experience in all areas of the theatre. Tyrrell started off as a professional actor in his native Toronto, then moved into stage managing and the technical and business side of theatre operations after moving to the West Coast.
Tyrrell said he briefly ran his own theatre companies in Vancouver and in Sechelt, on B.C’s Sunshine Coast.
He also co-ran a children’s camp on Keat’s Island for five years before returning to theatrical work.
Most recently, he was a freelance set builder and designer for Vancouver’s Electric Company and other semi-professional theatre troupes.
He said his goal with CAT will be to follow the five-year business plan, which is geared to get the company on stable fiscal footing.
Tyrrell would also like to see the 43-year-old community theatre group staging the best-quality productions possible to appeal to a broader audience.
He said he intends to examine opportunities for future dinner theatre productions. Tyrrell also aims to strengthening community partnerships, including possibly starting co-productions with Red Deer College theatre grads to encourage a more youthful CAT membership.
He added that further renovations to the Memorial Centre are also in his long-term plans.