National Theatre School of Canada thanks Fanny Pagé and announces CEOtransition
Photo : Maxime Boisvert
Montreal, September 9, 2026 – It is with emotion and gratitude that the Board of Directors of the National Theatre School of Canada (NTS) announces today that Fanny Pagé will not renew her mandate as Chief Executive Officer, which concludes this year. NTS is Canada’s oldest institution providing professional theatre training in all disciplines, in both English and French.
At the Board’s request, Pagé will remain in post to lead the transition and will step down later in the fall. She will then take up a new mandate at another major performing arts institution on the Montreal scene. A national search for her successor is underway.
Significant contributions to the School’s leadership
Appointed in 2022 after serving as the School’s Chief Operating Officer, Pagé led NTS through one of the most demanding periods in its 65-year history. She led the development and adoption of the 2025-30 Strategic Plan, restructured the organization while protecting the integrity of the School’s artistic training, and put in place a multi-
year financial framework that sets a course toward a balanced budget in 2028-29. She also appointed inspiring new leadership to the English Section.
These are legacies that will shape the School well beyond her tenure.
“Fanny led with clarity, conviction and courage through a period of significant change, and made decisions that were difficult but necessary,” said Anne-Marie Ethier and Mike James Ross, Co-Chairs of the Board.” Because of that work, NTS today has a clear five-year plan in execution, a credible path to financial balance, a strong executive team in place and the groundwork laid for an ambitious philanthropic campaign launching in 2027. Her successor inherits a School that is ready for its next chapter. We are sorry to see her go. Our thanks to her are unreserved, and they are shared by everyone who has worked alongside her.”
The Board and Pagé have agreed on a transition period to ensure continuity through the fall term.
“Leading the National Theatre School of Canada has been the most challenging and most rewarding work of my career. I am deeply grateful to the Board of Directors for its trust,” said Fanny Pagé. “What I will carry with me is the people: a team whose rigour and dedication are exceptional, and students whose courage and talent moved me every day. They are the School. I leave with full confidence in what they will continue to build.”
A national search now underway
The Board’s search committee will bring together directors and stakeholders from the artistic, institutional, and philanthropic communities across the country. The search is expected to conclude in the first half of 2027. Further details on the process and on interim arrangements will be communicated in the coming weeks.
