Remembering Mary Vingoe

This past weekend, we were devastated to learn of the loss of EFT's founding Artistic Director and Canadian theatre icon, Mary Vingoe.

We keep this photo of Mary framed in our office, and often when looking for guidance will turn to her and say, "well, what do you think Mary?" And so it is with Mary for so many people. She has been an incomparable guiding light for the Canadian theatre community; deeply generous with honest feedback, genuine interest, and unwavering support.

Mary's impact on Canadian theatre is legendary: she was the founding Artistic Director of Eastern Front Theatre and the Magnetic North Theatre Festival, and co-founded Nightwood Theatre in Toronto, Ship's Company Theatre in Parrsboro, and HomeFirst Theatre in Halifax. Her incredible career spanned five decades of award-winning, contemporary work in acting, directing, playwriting and dramaturgy. Her loss will be widely and keenly felt across the country, but most certainly here at home, where she has continued to be a stalwart champion for local artists, an invested collaborator, and a dedicated mentor to many, ourselves included.

We will continue to look to Mary for direction and will no doubt be the better for it, as her wisdom is cemented in the foundation of EFT, and the ether of the entire local theatre-making community. We're sure that echoes of her advice and inimitable wit will continue to shape new works in rehearsal halls for generations to come — a fitting legacy for a remarkable woman.