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A black background has faded Musical Stage Company logos overlaid. Centered is a circular image of a headshot, with a white 'C' and '.' border. The headshot is Mitchell Marcus; a white man with brown curly hair, smiling at the camera. He is wearing a blue sports jacket on top of a blue collared shirt.. Text underneath reads, “Mitchell Marcus to depart The Musical Stage Company.”

Mitchell Marcus To Depart The Musical Stage Company

After 18 incredible years at the helm of The Musical Stage Company, Founder and CEO, Mitchell Marcus announces his departure to become the Executive Director, Site Activation & Programming for Northcrest Developments at Downsview. In this new role, Mitchell leads the process of establishing Downsview as a new destination for arts & culture programming, community events, and commercial initiatives, as part of the redevelopment of 370 acres that currently make up the Downsview Airport and hangar lands.

Since 2004, Mitchell has grown The Musical Stage Company from a start-up into the leading not-for-profit musical theatre company in Canada with a $2.8M budget, 30,000 annual attendees, and over 100 performances each year. Under his creative leadership, The Musical Stage Company transformed the Canadian musical theatre landscape, becoming an internationally respected arts institution that championed thought-provoking, contemporary musical theatre in Toronto, fostered a generation of Canadian musical theatre writers, and developed innovative community programs across the country. During his tenure, The Musical Stage Company received 105 Dora Award nominations, 23 Dora Awards, and 19 Toronto Theatre Critics’ Awards. Strategically, he helped the organization grow into one of the largest independent not-for-profit theatre companies in the history of Canadian theatre, with consistently balanced budgets, a robust and passionate donor community, and national and international partnerships. These achievements were recognized with Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 as well as The Leonard McHardy and John Harvey Award for Outstanding Leadership in Administration.

Mitchell Marcus – Photo by Dahlia Katz

There are no words to adequately express what the last 18 years have meant to me. I am ecstatic for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help transform Downsview and create a new Toronto destination, but closing this chapter is incredibly bittersweet. I will be forever indebted to every artist, colleague, board member, supporter, partner, and attendee who has filled my life with infinite joy and glorious music. My pride in what we accomplished together is only surpassed by my excitement for the future of the company; with a stellar staff team and Board of Directors who will lead it into the future, and the homegrown musicals and initiatives that are in the pipeline, The Musical Stage Company, and Canadian musical theatre are undoubtedly going to reach new heights.” – Mitchell Marcus, Founder and current CEO of The Musical Stage Company.


The Musical Stage Company’s Board of Directors – led by Co-Chairs Patrick David and Megan Deeks – celebrate Mitchell’s lasting contributions and will shortly announce a leadership structure to ensure the longevity and success of The Musical Stage Company.


“On behalf of the board of The Musical Stage Company, we thank Mitchell for his visionary leadership and dedication for the last 18 years.  As the founder of The Musical Stage Company, Mitchell’s unique combination of artistic and business expertise has led the company’s growth and artistic success to incredible heights – financial and operational stability with an accumulated surplus, a longstanding senior staff team, engaged donors who have increased their support during COVID, and a committed Board of Directors.  With Mitchell’s departure, we look forward to soon sharing a new leadership structure that will take The Musical Stage Company into its next exciting chapter.” – Megan Deeks & Patrick David, Co-Chairs of The Musical Stage Company’s Board of Directors.


In a few short weeks, The Musical Stage Company will unveil a 2022 season that is its most ambitious yet, featuring a multi-faceted program that will celebrate musical storytelling across the city, curated by Artistic Director Ray Hogg.


“During my tenure at The Musical Stage Company Mitchell has exemplified generous, caring, and inspiring leadership. The legacy I have inherited from him includes a dedicated army of Canadian artists who are using the craft they have honed with us at The Musical Stage Company to reinvent the Canadian musical theatre canon.  None of the 16 works we have in development would have been possible without Mitchell’s great care for this company, this artform, and the many many artists we champion. I am so honoured to build on the incredibly strong foundation that Mitchell laid for this organization. I am equally grateful to have worked alongside him during my first year as Artistic Director of The Musical Stage Company.  We have an exciting program to offer you this season and I can’t wait for you all to hear about it in the coming weeks.”- Ray Hogg, Artistic Director at The Musical Stage Company.


Mitchell’s final day with The Musical Stage Company is March 18. His legacy will forever be cherished at The Musical Stage Company as we build on his vision, championing outstanding musical theatre artists and proving to Canada and the world why it’s better with music