WJT names Ari Weinberg new artistic director

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This article was published 04/03/2015 (4246 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg Jewish Theatre has picked a new artistic director with direct connections to the city’s theatre community.

Ari Weinberg, who spent time as the intern artistic director under Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre head Stephen Schipper as part of the 2013 Professional Theatre Training Program, will take over the top role at WJT on June 1.

“I’m humbled and honoured to become Winnipeg Jewish Theatre’s next artistic director,” Weinberg says in a release.

During his acting career, Weinberg also appeared at Royal MTC’s Romeo and Juliet, playing Benvolio in the Schipper-directed 2011 revival of the Shakespearean classic.

Weinberg says he will move to Winnipeg to take on the WJT job.

“The two times I worked (in Winnipeg) have been incredible experiences,” Weinberg says. “The arts and culture scene is so vibrant and diverse, and I look forward to meeting, joining, supporting and contributing to the community at large.”

Weinberg’s current roles are intern artistic director at the Metcalf Foundation and the internship adviser for the Music Theatre-Performance program at Sheridan College in suburban Toronto, which he also is an alumnus.

Weinberg has directed productions of Godspell and Sweeney Todd at Theatre Sheridan and has two Patron’s Pick awards from the Toronto Fringe Festival.

He is also a certified teaching artist through the Stratford Festival and York University.

Weinberg takes over for Kayla Gordon, who was named interim artistic director when WJT re-opened in August 2014 after a six-month closure caused by financial issues.

The theatre company’s next production is Bad Jews, which makes its Canadian première at the Berney Theatre May 6-17.