Overview
- Church has a five-year initial term, becomes sole artistic director on Nov. 1, 2026, and will program the 2027 season.
- He will serve as artistic director designate through the 2026 season alongside outgoing leader Antoni Cimolino while disengaging from other projects.
- A global search drew 101 applicants and a nine-person committee with no artists, with stakeholders consulted via survey and two Canadians among the three finalists.
- His Chichester tenure featured thrust-stage leadership, major audience growth, and a £22-million redevelopment, aligning with Stratford’s repertory model and planned Festival Theatre upgrades.
- Coverage notes concern over his limited recent Canadian work and a brief Sydney Theatre Company stint, as the board underscores his international networks and Mirvish collaborations and he pledges to embed in the community.