The Blyth Festival has a new Artistic Director.
Gil Garratt replaces Marion de Vries, who leaves after one year at the Festival. Garratt has been involved with the Blyth Festival in some capacity for sixteen years before leaving in 2012 to work in theatres across the country.
Garratt says he is keenly aware of the expectations that go with becoming the artistic director at the Festival, saying some people don't realize the expectation the theatrical community throughout Canada has of the Festival.
Garratt adds that one of the things that he appreciates about the Festival is the relationship the theatre has with the community.
He says, "People see it as a place that is amazingly connected to its community and I think that is one of the things that I love so much about the place, and what has kept me coming back here is how immediate that relationship is between the theatre and the people living here."
Garratt also points out the Blyth Festival is one of the few theatres in Canada that produces a series of new plays every season.