Artistic & Managing Director of Théâtre la Seizième Wins Prix Marcus-Banque Nationale

The winners of the Prix Marcus-Banque Nationale, offered by the Fondation pour l’avancement du théâtre francophone au Canada, and supported by the National Arts Centre and National Bank of Canada, were announced at the NAC’s Fourth Stage on September 10.

Craig Holzschuh, Artistic and Managing Director of Théâtre la Seizième along with Maurice Arsenault, Artistic Director of Théâtre populaire d’Acadie (Caraquet), were honoured ex aequo by the jury because of the similarities of their support of the next generation of theatre artists as well as the overall contribution of their respective careers. The $15,000 prize was presented by Robert Gagné, Administrative Director of French Theatre at the NAC.

A graduate of Ottawa University and UBC, Holzschuh has been working in theatre as a director, playwright, actor, and designer for the past 20 years. Nominated five times for Jessie Richardson Awards, he was awarded the Sydney J. Risk Award, two directing awards for his work on Mathieu Mathématiques and Porc-épic, and the John Moffat et Larry Lillo Award. Under his guidance, a dramaturgical development program at Théâtre la Seizième was established to promote theatre in both BC and French Canada. He was the President of the Association des théâtres francophones du Canada (ATFC) from 2006 to 2010. 

The prize, given every two years, highlights the work of exemplary French Canadian artists whose work has made a major, durable impact on both the regional and national levels.

In order to promote relationships, the development of the theatrical milieu, and the transmission of theatrical knowledge, each winner was asked to choose a protégé to mentor during the following year. Holzschuh invited two artists from Vancouver, Émilie Leclerc and Gilles Poulin-Denis to contribute to the artistic directorship of the company over the course of the 2013-2014 season. Maurice Arsenault chose to enhance Mélanie Léger’s Artistic Directorship practicum at TPA for 2013-2014.

For more information about Théâtre la Seizième and its 2013-14 season, click here.