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CURRICULUM VITAE
CHRISTOPHER LESTER
Apartment 6, Ivydene Mansions
8 Canterbury Road, Herne Bay, Kent
United Kingdom NG1 1JT
12 rue Capri
Dollard-des-Ormeaux, (Québec)
Canada H9B 2J2
Telephone:
Home (UK): 44 (0) 122 737-0837
Mobile (U.K.): 44 (0) 792 006-5712
Home (Canada): 001 (514) 684-0112
emails: [email protected]
[email protected]
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Kent Circus School Ltd, Whitstable, Kent
October 2009 – October 2010
General Manager/Administrator
Chief Executive – responsible to the Board of Directors for all areas of operations
including finance, operations, and marketing. I was to develop the position on an
ongoing basis in a company that has not had any management structure in the past.
Part of the job would have been to put in place structures dealing with efficient
operation, future funding, productions and performance schemes. Unfortunately, due
to financial problems, the company has now stopped trading.
Nottingham Arts Theatre Limited, George Street, Nottingham
January 2008 – December 2008 (One Year Contract)
General Manager/Chief Executive
Senior executive of the organization directly responsible to board of trustees including
to deputy chairs and directors for production, finance, building and marketing and to
advise on and to direct some shows at the theatre.
The position made me line manager for full time, part time and voluntary staff
including Youth Theatre Co-ordinator, Front of House, Box Office, Technicians and
bar etc. staff. Responsible for recommending artistic programme to board, all
financial and investment matters and supervision of Theatre rentals and outside use. I
am ex-officio of all committees including building, social, technical and hiring.
There were many similarities between NAT and other theatres where problems
existed. The theatre was in the second year of implementation of a strategic plan after
a year in which the all the previous staff were made redundant and a rescue and
fundraising program were put in place. I was brought into start the rebirth process and
bring normality. Other duties included – membership organization/repertory
theatre/provider of rehearsal and performance space and as an educational charity in
working with young people both through our youth theatre group and other ventures.
CHRISTOPHER LESTER
Curriculum Vitae – Page: 2
CÉGEP John Abbott College, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Montréal
1979 to 2005 (Early Retirement taken in August 2005)
Co-Chair, Professor, Department of Theatre and Music
Director of Administration and Production
Co-ordinator, College Events and Displays
John Abbott College is part of the CÉGEP system of Québec, a college which offers
both general education and professional education in various subjects which include
Theatre and Music. The diplomas are mandatory for university entrance and are also
the qualifying documentation for US immigration. The college offers the majority of
classes in English but also a large selection in French. As an administrator, I dealt
with many of the usual functions, budgets, marketing, fund-raising, publicity,
registration as well as directing productions, dealing with production and technical
elements and supervision of all production departments. As events co-ordinator for
the college, direct and supervise such additional activities as the just finished 25th
anniversary celebrations graduations, open houses, etc. The department offers a
program in Acting, a Design program, and a Technical and Management program.
The programs are for three years and, while principally based on theatrical
requirements, include studies for film and television. Also offered are two year minor
and elective programs in various creative arts, including music, video and film
production and radio as well as theatre. Part of my release time was used as coordinator with the community – education and the arts - high schools, colleges,
organizations, universities, etc. I, until retirement, sat as a voting member on the
board of governors and executive committee of the College.
The department operates out of the Complexe Thérèse Casgrain that includes a main
stage theatre, a studio theatre, all necessary theatre workshops and labs, an art gallery,
ceramics labs and kilns, radio and television facilities film and animation studios and
fine arts, woodworking, metal work, sculpture, painting and miscellaneous studios
and labs. My mandate, basically finished now, was to oversee the development of the
department from a small operating entity to the largest English Theatre Department in
Québec.
My work load which originally was mainly teaching and directing was reduced so that
I was able to fulfil necessary management, administration and community tasks.
Freelance and Departmental Non-Administrative Work
1979/2005
I work as a consultant, director and designer both in the department and outside and
for other educational institutions and community organizations. Rather than a long list
here, I am attaching a short-listing of recent freelance and other departmental work at
the end of this résumé.
Young People’s Theatre, Toronto
1976/1979
Director of Production and General Manager
Normal duties associated with these positions
Theatre Consultant
Building the new Young People’s Arts Centre Complex in downtown Toronto
Executive Producer/Production Manager
YPT Films
CHRISTOPHER LESTER
Curriculum Vitae – Page: 3
YPT is the leading organization in Canada commissioning and providing theatre and
films to young people. It started with various productions each year, which toured to
all levels of schools across Canada, especially in the Southern Ontario area in both
English and French. It is a leader in the commissioning of custom written plays for
young people of all ages. The work was considerably increased with the opening of a
state of the art centre built for Young People, which added an in-house theatre, studios
and labs, as well as appropriate concession areas, giving a new aspect to its activities,
both production and classes and a social centre for Youth.
My duties included production work and directing, as well as administrative duties budget, contracts, dealing with unions, plus fund-raising, marketing, etc. My initial
task with the organization was to be responsible for and supervise together with the
architects and general contractors of the new arts complex in central Toronto
developed from a historic listed transport building.
I also worked as designer, director, etc., on various productions including:
“THE LOST FAIRY TALE” - (American Première of a production of the
National Theatre of Czechoslovakia)
Directed by: Jaromil Jires, Designed by: Joseph Svoboda
“THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK”
with: Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson
“HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN”
Directed and Choreographed by: Brian MacDonald
with: Veronica Tennant and Annette av Paul
By the end of the contact, my basic responsibilities included programming of all
performance elements at the centre, both self produced and brought in; a minimum of
four school tours each year – for levels kindergarten to grade three, grade four to
grade six, grade seven to nine (junior high school) and level ten and above (high
school; one school tour in French; a primary school production at the Ontario Science
Centre; and a Christmas co-production with a major Toronto regional theatre.
Banff School of Fine Arts, Banff
1976
Faculty Member - Directing and Teaching Staging and Lighting
Mallabar Limited, Winnipeg
1976
Manager and Consultant - Theatre and Costume Department
I will be the first to admit that this position was a failed attempt to move directly out
of theatre production. I worked at the head office of the major supplier to theatres in
Canada of costumes and theatrical supplies. I supervised the work of departments
across Canada and was involved in all sorts of discussions with theatre companies. I
did not enjoy the experience - it was too remote from theatre and I happily moved on
to Banff and Toronto
Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg
1973/1975
Technical Director & Production Manager
Director of Production (from 1974)
Curriculum Vitae – Page: 4
CHRISTOPHER LESTER
I filled the senior production position of what was and still is one of Canada’s major
regional theatres producing in two houses, running tours including into the far arctic
and welcoming major national and international companies (Stratford Theatre
Company, Shaw Festival Theatre, National Theatre of Iceland, Comédie Française, as
well as various smaller and local companies). I acted and also worked as a director but
mainly as an assistant director and designer, etc., on various productions.
Banff School of Fine Arts, Banff
1974
Faculty Member - Teaching Staging and Lighting
Donmar Limited, London, England
1967/1973
Technical Manger, Assistant to General Manager
Donmar was, in the 1970s, a large conglomerate controlled by Sir Donald Albery,
mainly involved with theatre work and production both in the West End and England
and internationally. Through various subsidiaries, it controlled West End Theatres in
London, theatre production companies, film and television companies with interests in
the recording and publishing industries as well as manufacturing and retail companies.
I worked for the company in its head office in London performing various tasks
including technical and production work and from an administrative point of view, as
assistant to the general manager and company director, Mr. Ian Albery. As part of my
duties, I worked and advised many companies, both professional and amateur on
production and artistic related work.
I worked on many productions including the following - some of the better known:
“OLIVER!”
“MAN OF LA MANCHA”
“ANNE OF GREEN GABLES”
“CONDUCT UNBECOMING”
–-London, New York, Tokyo productions
– U.K., U.S., and European tours
– European Première
– London Première
– London and New York premières
The group also included, for some time, the London Festival Ballet for which I acted
as assistant to Mr. Albery in his role as Director of Production. I also served as
Director of Finance for other subsidiary and associated companies with which we
worked.
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London
1965/67
Faculty Member
As a permanent member of the teaching faculty, I taught theatre techniques and stage
management as well as designing and directing some student productions. I, also,
fulfilled the position of resident stage manager and technical director.
Harrogate Opera House, Harrogate, Yorkshire
1963/65
Production Manager
Dundee Repertory Theatre, Dundee, Scotland
1963
Stage Management, Lighting
CHRISTOPHER LESTER
Curriculum Vitae – Page: 5
Citizens’ Theatre, Glasgow, Scotland
1962/63
Actor, Stage Management,
Freelance Work
1961/1965
Various Positions
In the early stages of my career, I worked in various positions during this period, as an
actor, stage manager, designer, production manager, and stage director at various
theatres in England (Coventry, Loughborough, Bournemouth), Scotland and Europe
(Antwerp, Hamburg, Lille and Zurich.)
Present Day - Director/Board of Governors
Théâtre du Bord du Lac, Inc., Montréal – Focus sur le Jazz, Inc., Montréal
Québec Drama Festival, Québec Tamcor Theatre Productions, Inc., Montréal
Christopher Lester Limitée, Toronto – Christopher Lester Inc., Montréal
– and others.
Membership – Professional Organizations
British Actors’ Equity Association
1962/Withdraw
BECTU (formerly NATTKE)
1963/1975
Association of British Theatre Technicians
1963/1980
Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
1973/Withdraw
United States Institute of Theatre Technology
1973/ongoing
Canadian Institute of Theatre Technology
1994/ongoing
Fédération de drame du Québec/Quebec Drama Federation
1982/2005
(past president)
Education
Private Schools in the UK (Equivalent to Grade 12/Secondaire VI)
Northern Universities – Mathematics (Equivalent to CÉGEP II/University I)
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art – Theatre (Equivalent to University 2 Masters)
Université de Sherbrooke – French (Performa) (Equivalent to Masters)
University of Toronto – Doctoral Work and Thesis – Musical Theatre
Freelance Work
Direction, Design, Production and production management, Administration,
Consultancy on Theatre and Arts Construction Projects, Production, Fund-raising.
For various companies and organizations:
London and regional theatres, U.K.; New York and other centres, U.S.A.; Regional,
Community and school theatres, Canada; State Theatres, Germany and Switzerland
Plus the following companies:
London Stock Exchange, Bank of England, Lloyds of London, Hong Kong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation, British Airways, Central London Synagogue,
Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon, St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, World Council of
Churches, Geneva
CHRISTOPHER LESTER
Curriculum Vitae – Page: 6
In Montreal
Technical, Production and Arts Consultant:
Montreal Catholic School Board
Lakeshore School Board
Commission scolaire Lester B. Pearson
Freelance Work - Productions and College Productions (1998-2005)
As a member of the faculty at John Abbott College, and as someone who worked in
the arts community of Québec, eastern Ontario and northern New York, I find that I
am somewhat in demand to assist various companies in differing roles. I seem to have
developed my own freelance activities to a large clientele for whom I will act as a
consultant, producer, director or designer or indeed to assist on various administrative
tasks. The list below is representative over the last four/five years but is not complete
and does not include many one day consultancies or simple tasks.
Director/Writer:
“THE PRINCE OF EGYPT”
Beth Tikvah Youth Theatre
Designer:
“LE FANTÔME DE L’OPÉRA”
Théâtre jeunesse des Marcellines
Consultant/Director “THE BLUE NOSE”
Théâtre Vincent-Massey
Director/Co-ordinator:
“MISS TEEN CANADA”
Talented Teens International
Director/Narrator: “COMMANDER TOAD IN SPACE”
City of Beaconsfield
Dir. of Production: “FOCUS ON JAZZ”
Focus on Jazz Dance Company
Consultant:
“CHICAGO”
Riverdale High School Theatre
Lighting:
“LA MELODIE DU BONHEUR”
(Version française: “The Sound of Music”)
Les Productions Plamodon
Administration:
“ANGLO!”
Les Productions Anglo
Director:
“THE PAJAMA GAME”
Beth Tikvah Youth Theatre
Producer/Lighting: “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF”
Centaur Theatre, Montréal
Actor/Producer:
Various Films
Concordia University
Director:
“OKLAHOMA”
Becket Theatre
Presenter/Editor:
Television Arts “Good Day”
CBC Television
Co-ordinator
Thirty-Sixth Anniversary Celebrations
Dollard Synagogues
Director/Co-ord:
“IMPRESSIONS”
Commission Scolaire Lester B. Pearson
(The All School Variety/Film/Arts Show)
Consultant/Director. “GREASE”
MacDonald High School Youth Theatre
Director:
“LADY BE GOOD”
Becket Players, Pierrefonds
Design:
“TWELFTH NIGHT”
Beaconsfield Theatre Company
Director:
“OKLAHOMA” (Version française)
Théâtre Fabulam de Pincourt
Artistic Director:
Tamcor Productions
Director:
“WEST SIDE STORY”
Beth Tikvah Theatre
Choreographer:
VARIOUS
Compagnie de Danse Eh! Vie, Dorion
Director
“GREASE”
Théâtre Vincent-Massey
Director:
“FORTY-SECOND STREET” D’Arcy McGee School of Perf. Arts
Consultant
“GREASE”
Théâtre Polyvalente des Sources
Director:
“FAME”
Wilfrid Laurier Theatre
Producer/Director “LYSISTRATA”
John Abbott College
Director:
“JOSEPH & AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT”
Beth Tikvah Youth Theatre
Director:
“SWEET CHARITY”
Becket Players, Pierrefonds
Director:
“NO, NO, NANETTE”
John Abbott College
CHRISTOPHER LESTER
Director:
Producer/Design:
Director:
Producer:
Design:
Director:
Director:
Artistic Director:
Director:
Director:
Director:
Curriculum Vitae – Page: 7
“ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST”
Catholic Schools Commission, Montréal
“OLIVER!”
Centaur Theatre, Montréal
“CINDERELLA”
Beth Tikvah Youth Theatre
“BYE, BYE BIRDIE”
Kids in Action Theatre of Montreal
“WEST SIDE STORY”
D’Arcy McGee School of Performing Arts
“TEN – A CABARET FANTASIA!”
Le Stage Dinner Theatre
“MY FAIR LADY”
Becket Players, Pierrefonds
“ANNIE”
Montreal Theatre Company
“REHEARSAL FOR MURDER”
Centaur Theatre, Montreal
“HAMLET” (in French)
Théâtre Polyvalente des Sources
“A FAMILY TORN”
Tamcor Productions
Other - Teaching
Lecturer:
M.B.A. program, Concordia University
Courses in Arts Administration, Fund-raising for the Arts, Marketing
the Arts, Working with Arts Boards, Government Funding Policies
Various:
Québec Drama Federation
Adjudications, Workshops in Acting, Production and Stage
Management and general theatre
Teacher:
Ontario Arts Council
Government Funding, Grants for Arts Centres, Touring
Teacher:
University of Manitoba
Workshops in Directing, Acting, General Theatre
plus
Numerous High Schools, United Kingdom, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec
Various projects and workshops
Winter 2011