Ann Connors is a senior arts administrator and consultant with over 20 years’ experience in the creation and dissemination of work of theatre and dance artists. She is the former Managing Director of Canada’s Magnetic North Theatre Festival and the former Executive Director of the High Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Performing Arts. She has produced more than 40 new Canadian plays and presented 100’s of new national and international productions and have toured work throughout Canada and internationally. In 2018 she returned home to Newfoundland to lead the opening of the newly created St. John’s Community Market. From there she led the creation of a commercial musical theatre company, which under her direction grew from a one-off production company to a full time staff of over 20 creative, administrative and production personnel; led the creation of a fully-operating rehearsal/creation space, recording studio and the purchase of a 325 performance space and bistro – currently under renovation.
Clients include many independent artists and mid-sized organizations, and it is fair to say that her first love is in the support of those independent creators where she helps support them in the realization of their dreams. Of particular interest to Ann are artists of mixed ability. To that end, she has done extensive work in how we serve those artists, their stories and their audiences – working with ASL interpreters, audio interpretation, relaxed performances and all areas that expand our stages and spaces to be more inclusive and accessible. She is known for her knowledge of the industry both home and abroad, for her collaborative work approach, for her commitment to fair and equitable working environments for creative artists and those who support them. Her consultant work includes strategic development, grant writing support, blue sky visioning, company structures, feasibility studies and creation and touring consultation.
She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Arts Society an in 2020, she was appointed by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador as the theatre representative to the Newfoundland & Labrador Arts Council. She has served as a board/committee member for many organizations and national and international initiatives an served on many municipal, provincial and national peer assessment committees.