Searchlight proud to work with Soulpepper Theare on appointment of Weyni Mengesha

Soulpepper is pleased to announce the appointment of award-winning director and dramaturge Weyni Mengesha as the company’s new Artistic Director. Mengesha began her association with Soulpepper twelve years ago; she was a member of the Soulpepper Academy, and since then has won several awards as a director, dramaturge and teacher.

Mengesha started her career directing da Kink in my Hair across North America and in London – a production that sold out some of the largest houses. At Soulpepper, she has directed some of the company’s most successful productions, including: A Raisin in the Sun (2008); Father Comes Home from the Wars (2017) which won the Dora Award for Best Production; as well as Kim’s Convenience (2012), one of the most successful shows at the box office in the company’s history, which has since gone on to become a successful CBC television series. She has been an instructor at the National Theatre School of Canada, and Co-Artistic Director and teacher with The A.M.Y. Project for nine years. Other recent directorial work has been seen in New York City and Pasadena, garnering a NAACP nomination for Best Direction; Breath of Kings at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in 2016; and Why Not Theatre’s national touring production of Butcher, for which she won a Dora for best direction.

From Vanessa Morgan, Chair of the Board: “This has been a rigorous and extensive search process. We had the privilege of meeting with qualified, talented professionals from across Canada and beyond. The Board is delighted that the search has resulted in the appointment of Weyni Mengesha, who brings her truly unique set of values, passions, talents and leadership qualities to shape Soulpepper’s artistic vision and direction.”

From Weyni Mengesha: “I feel my entire professional career has been leading towards this opportunity. I am absolutely thrilled to build on the company’s existing talent, and shepherd it towards national and international collaboration. Soulpepper has been a place where I’ve had some of my most fulfilling artistic experiences. I’m excited to be coming back home to this city that I love and work with artists I’ve admired for years. I believe in the company’s vision, and I look forward to fostering its legacy of excellence and innovation and helping to shape its next chapter. I want to acknowledge the incredible leadership Alan Dilworth has shown in guiding the company during the recent difficult period, continuing to produce world-class work, and building an exciting season ahead. I look forward to collaborating with him for years to come.”