Canadian Stage Company has announced a revamped, five-year, artistic plan and appointed Martin Bragg, current managing director and producer, to implement it.

Bragg will become artistic producer and replace artistic director Bob Baker at the helm of Canada's largest not-for-profit regional theatre, when Baker's contract ends in June.

President and chairman William A. MacKinnon, said: "As a result of artistic director Bob Baker's recent resignation, the Board of Directors decided to re-evaluate the current structure and leadership of the organization and determine the most appropriate model to support the redefined vision and goals."

The new vision statement: "The Canadian Stage Company, as a community supported not-for-profit arts organization, will become nationally and internationally renowned as the most exciting theatre in Canada; create and produce the best in Canadian and International contemporary theatre for the largest and most loyal subscription audience in Canada; attract and develop the best artists and play in Canada; promote our Canadian productions in the international markets."

The strategies: Creating and producing contemporary Canadian productions through in-house development and creation activities; creating national and international networks to ensure CanStage's best work is seen nationally and internationally; providing opportunities for the development and growth of theatre professionals on the company's own stages. There are no surprises in the revised vision statement, which continues to tread the middle-of-the-road artistic policies adopted by Baker during his reign.

Says Bragg of his appointment: "Our goal will be to produce those plays which we are passionate to produce and which we believe our audience is passionate to see."

-- By Mira Friedlander
Canada Correspondent