SkirtsAfire announces incoming Artistic Producer, Amanda Goldberg
Outgoing Artistic Director, Annette Loiselle, will collaborate throughout the 2024 transition year and direct MainStage play
June 1, 2023
SkirtsAfire is excited to announce the new Artistic Producer of the festival, Amanda Goldberg. Over the next year, Amanda will work alongside the Outgoing Artistic Director, Annette Loiselle, in preparation for the 2024 festival. This will be a transition year of mentorship and collaboration, which will feature a MainStage play directed by Annette as her finale to over a decade of leading this organization.
“SkirtsAfire is a festival that advocates for better representation by giving women a platform to be celebrated, and I am honored to continue this legacy as the incoming Artistic Producer. I know this upcoming year will be filled with exciting challenges and opportunities for change as we launch into a new chapter, and I am so grateful to this team for their generous support and enthusiasm as we jump into the unknown. The privilege to step into this leadership role is not one I take lightly, and like many women before me, I will do everything in my power to uplift the next generation of theatre artists. I cannot wait to see what the future holds, and I hope you will join us for the journey.” – Amanda Goldberg
“I am so thrilled that Amanda is the new Artistic Producer for SkirtsAfire. She has the passion, vision and work ethic required for the role and the ambition, energy and drive to take SkirtsAfire further than any of us could have imagined. After 12 years building this company from a collective of artists and a $10,000 Grant to an organization with a budget over $400,000, producing a large multidisciplinary theatre festival that continues to grow and adapt, I am proud to bring this legacy forward and watch Amanda, Brianne and the full team at SkirtsAfire, elevate it beyond my wildest dreams.” – Annette Loiselle
“On behalf of SkirtsAfire Festival Board of Directors, we are delighted that Amanda’s experience and artistic excellence will continue advancing SkirtsAfire Festival’s vision and mission. At the same time, we want to express our gratitude to SkirtsAfire Festival founder and Artistic Director, Annette Loiselle who has served our organization with extraordinary contributions in our community, and will continue with SkirtsAfire in a leadership role for 2023-24.” – Treva Swick, President, SkirtsAfire Festival Board of Directors.
We look forward to this new chapter in the SkirtsAfire legacy, and to have Amanda’s passion and commitment to our mission guide us.
About Amanda Goldberg
Amanda Goldberg is an artist born and raised in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal. Now proudly based in Amiskwacîwâskahikan/Edmonton, after completing her MFA in Directing at the University of Alberta. Amanda began producing in 2014 when she co-founded We Are One, an independent feminist theatre company. With this company, she staged five world premieres from 2014 to 2018, with a focus on adaptations, queer love stories and staged intimacy. She continues to pursue her passion for developing new work as both a director and a dramaturg. Amanda is currently finishing her last month at Shadow Theatre, where she worked as their Artistic Director Fellow for this past season. She is also gearing up to direct Twelfth Night for the Freewill Shakespeare Festival this summer!
Recent News
September 30, 2022
Annette Loiselle is ready to pass the torch
After 10 years, SkirtsAfire’s Artistic Director and one of the founding visionaries, Annette Loiselle, is announcing 2023 as her final year at the helm of the festival.
Annette will continue an artistic partnership with the festival, directing the 2024 MainStage production and working alongside the new Artistic Producer for one year to allow for succession planning. Beyond 2024, she looks forward to seeing SkirtsAfire continue to grow and evolve under new Artistic leadership.
A Note from Treva Swick, Board President
“On behalf of SkirtsAfire Festival Board of Directors, I would like to acknowledge the remarkable genius of Annette Loiselle. Her community leadership and exceptional programing advanced the visibility of women’s artistic production, representation, and reception for more than ten years. It has been a tremendous honour working with Annette and realizing the possibilities of SkirtsAfire Festival. We look forward to continuing the work Annette has generously set in motion as SkirtsAfire Festival’s first artistic director and applaud her numerous achievements.”
A Note from Annette Loiselle
“These past 10 years of SkirtsAfire feel like a heartbeat,” says Annette Loiselle. “And yet, when I look at old photos, I’m reminded just how far we’ve come. I always knew that after a decade, I’d want to make space and step aside for new creative juices, fresh energy and renewed direction for SkirtsAfire, but it was important to me that the organization be in a solid place financially and organizationally before making this move.”