
Tarragon Theatre’s Managing Director Andrea Vagianos to depart at the end of the 23/24 season
Dec 1, 2023, TORONTO, ON – Tarragon Theatre announces that Managing Director, Andrea Vagianos, whose tenure began in the theatre’s 2017-18 season, will be leaving at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.
During her six seasons with Tarragon Theatre, Andrea worked alongside previous Artistic Director Richard Rose in his final years before retirement. She was integral in the celebration of the company’s 50th season and instrumental in helping transition the company through the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which included transformative organizational policy work and the onboarding of the company’s fourth Artistic Director, Mike Payette, in 2021. With him, she has been an advocate for expanding the scope of the theatre’s mission in welcoming new voices to the theatre, and played a vital role in maintaining Tarragon’s operational and financial stability.
“It has been a privilege to work at Tarragon, where I have learned so much and followed in the footsteps of major Canadian theatre trailblazers.” Andrea reflects. “I am grateful to have collaborated with many talented artists, Board members, staff, donors and patrons during my tenure here. I am excited for the values and vision that Mike Payette has brought to Tarragon as we look to the next 50 years of play-making, and of welcoming new audiences to the theatre. I look forward to returning to Tarragon as an audience member, and witnessing what the gifted Tarragon team does next.”
Her energetic, determined and dedicated leadership also supported the Tarragon team and extended community throughout the pandemic by ensuring access to theatre remained vibrant for all. An arts executive who’s always focused on building for sustainability and positive change, Andrea worked alongside Payette to introduce core digital offerings of its mainstage programming which has since been seen all over the country and beyond. As a champion of the arts, she was awarded the Leonard McHardy and John Harvey Award for Outstanding Leadership in Administration (LMJH Award), honouring her work as a resilient community builder, strategist and financial manager.
In all of this and more, Andrea’s steady, focused, forward-thinking leadership has supported Tarragon in its continued legacy as the premier home for new Canadian works.
“I am so fortunate to have started my time at Tarragon with one of the city’s most respected and devoted managers. Andrea’s scope is only matched by her humanity, making her an incredible partner to challenge, excite and empower the company’s impact in art and community. I will sincerely miss the daily moments of laughter and encouraging perseverance, but I am equally excited for what the next chapter holds for this remarkable leader,” notes Artistic Director Mike Payette.
Prior to joining Tarragon in 2018, Andrea held positions as Managing Director of both Toronto Dance Theatre and Dancemakers, Acting Arts Education Officer at the Ontario Arts Council, General Manager of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre and served an extended term as President of the Toronto Alliance of the Performing Arts (TAPA).
“Andrea’s years at Tarragon are defined by resilience, determination and innovation. Her commitment to sustaining Tarragon as Canada’s home for groundbreaking contemporary plays, while prioritising organizational evolution that will welcome new voices for the company’s next 50 years, is an incredible legacy,” considers Adam Bryk, Tarragon Theatre’s Board President.
Bryk continues, “In working alongside her, the Board has enjoyed a partnership with someone who is steadfast in her commitment to the team, and to maintaining the health and longevity of this Canadian theatre space – No surprise given her over 30 years of commitment to the arts in Canada. Thank you, Andrea, for six incredible years with Tarragon!”
Tarragon’s Board, staff, community of artists, volunteers and loyal patrons will undoubtedly miss Andrea’s warm, dedicated leadership. A call for applications for Tarragon’s next Managing Director will be announced in the coming weeks.