MTYP fires founding artistic director Silverman

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After 30 years serving as Manitoba Theatre for Young People’s founding artistic director, Leslee Silverman has been told she is no longer employed by the theatre company.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/03/2013 (4900 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After 30 years serving as Manitoba Theatre for Young People’s founding artistic director, Leslee Silverman has been told she is no longer employed by the theatre company.

The announcement comes almost two years after Silverman won the prestigious Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for lifetime artistic achievement and six days after MTYP board president Gloria Koop revealed MTYP missed paying its staff two weeks ago as the company continues to grapple with an ongoing financial crisis.

An MTYP employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said many of the staff are “devastated” by Silverman’s forced departure from the company, saying Silverman was considered a “mentor” by many.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Archives Leslee Silverman, the artistic director at MTYP, is the recipient of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for lifetime artistic achievement.
MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Archives Leslee Silverman, the artistic director at MTYP, is the recipient of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for lifetime artistic achievement.

MTYP has been in a financial crisis due to a debt in the $1.5-million range and a recent embezzlement to the tune of nearly $80,000. A former finance manager has been accused of stealing more than $77,000 in funds.

For her part, Silverman leaves the company with abundant laurels and achievements. Along with the Governor General’s Award, Silverman was the first recipient in 2003 of the Manitoba Arts Council Arts Award of Distinction and won the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in the Arts and Culture category.

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