The following statement was provided to BarrieToday by Theatre by the Bay artistic director Iain Moggach:
On Aug. 30, Iain Moggach, the celebrated artistic director of Theatre by the Bay (TBTB), provided the board of directors with a letter stating his intentions not to renew his contract.
This comes near the end of a landmark 2023-2024 fiscal year. It included the third-annual Simcoe County Theatre Festival (which saw a 50 per cent increase in ticket sales from 2023), the 10th anniversary of the Indie Producer Co-op, and the beginning of several exciting new commissions — including one by a recipient of the Order of Canada.
However, “it is time for the next adventure,” says Moggach. “I am extremely proud of what I have accomplished with Theatre by the Bay. A recent highlight was watching The Diviners at Stratford. Knowing that the last world premiere by one of the playwrights of such an epic, big-budget production was a play about Barrie I commissioned (Icemen) demonstrated how far Theatre by the Bay has come.”
Iain first joined Theatre by the Bay as an inaugural participant of the Indie Producer Co-op. Upon joining TBTB’s staff, Iain has overseen the transformation of Theatre by the Bay into one of Ontario’s foremost regional play development companies with over 13 world premieres; fostering local artists and attracting some of Canada’s best to work in Barrie along the way.
Iain started as the general manager in 2015, before becoming executive director and, in 2018, artistic director.
As artistic director, Theatre by the Bay doubled its operating budget, expanded its new play development programming, increased its staff, increased artist wages and the diversity of its artists, hired 60 to 70 per cent locally each year, and much more.
Iain’s work has been recognized by various sectors in the community such as winning the Barrie Business Award for ‘Young Professional of the Year’ and the ‘Tourism Champion’ Award (Toast to Tourism Awards) in 2019, the Barrie Community Builder Award in the Arts category in 2023, and more.
Iain’s tenure concluded with Homecoming, a cabaret featuring past stars of Theatre by the Bay productions, and exceptional local talent on Sept. 20.
Should the new leadership continue several commissions that are underway, Barrie will not have seen the last of Iain’s work.
Iain would like to thank all of the artists, donors and sponsors, and community members that have supported him over the course of his journey. He would also like to thank his amazing team members — in particular, Patricia Hammond, who has loyally weathered these challenging years by his side.
He would also like to use his last act as a call to everyone reading this to support their local arts community through donations, attendance and arts advocacy.
No information about Iain’s replacement process is available at this time.
