Departure of Executive Director Kristen Dion

March 17, 2022

Persephone Theatre Announces Departure of Executive Director Kristen Dion

After nearly three years at the helm of Persephone Theatre, Executive Director Kristen Dion has tendered her resignation to start the next chapter of her career. “The time has come for me to step away from Persephone Theatre and rejoin my family in Calgary,” says Kristen. “I’ve loved calling Saskatoon home these past two and a half years, and having the opportunity to get so close to this community. I am incredibly proud of our team’s work and the significant evolution we’ve been through, together, as an organization. It’s been a dream to work with Heather and I will continue to support her and the organization until September 2022, when a new Executive Director will be in place.”

Kristen joined Persephone in September 2019 and, within her first season alone, addressed some of the company’s largest challenges and changes to-date. People-driven and values-motivated, she steered numerous programs and policies that kept patrons safely connected to the theatre during a global pandemic, helped implement digital programming, worked in close consultation with the artistic community to better align the company’s resources to serve their needs, launched the organization’s first IBPOC New Play Commission, and supported a robust artistic leadership search process.

Board Chair Nikki Hipkin states, “While we’re very sad to see Kristen leave Persephone Theatre, we sincerely support her path forward. Kristen led Persephone through a tumultuous few years and did so with a steady hand and an open heart. She helmed a significant culture change within the organization, including sincere efforts to build and rebuild relationships within the artistic community. We are grateful for her caliber of executive leadership and generosity as a leader. Her positive impact will continue to be felt at Persephone and in our community.”

Artistic Director Heather Cant adds, “Kristen and I have known each other for a long time and have been so happy to finally have had a chance to work together. I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive collaborator these past six months. I am so happy for my friend that is making a choice that supports her and her family, but I will miss her terribly as a partner.”

The nation-wide search for a new Executive Director will begin immediately. The detailed posting of the position and timeline for submission will be available on Persephone’s website by early April.