50th Anniversary Message
September 9, 2026
In honour of PACT's 50th anniversary Executive Director Brad Lepp shares a message with the community.
PACT was born from the need for a unified voice: a voice that could speak clearly to government and labour partners. Curtis Barlow, PACT’s first Executive Director, tells the story of a group of theatre leaders in Ottawa sitting across from a Member of Parliament, who asked “so, this is great, but who do you represent?” From the beginning, it was rooted in the belief that we can achieve far more together than alone. Our practices differ, and our voices are distinct, but there is room in this ensemble for every part to be heard, held, and supported.
This summer, I have spent a few hours working my way through some of PACT’s archived papers. They have illuminated moments from the journey so far: moving forward from one moment to the next, sometimes dancing, sometimes limping; navigating crisis; joining conference calls in the dead of night; sending faxes of responses and meeting minutes; and watching PACT reinvent itself again and again in response to what the sector needed. What stood out most, though, were the names: Maurice, Mallory, Michael, Gregory, Linda, Arthur, Peter, Jerry, Andy, Nancy, Eric, Jay, and Nina, among many, many others. Giants of our industry. People who pushed the field, shaped companies large and small, challenged assumptions, provoked change, and mentored many of the leaders gathered around the tent today. For 50 years, people have stepped forward to give their time in service of the broader sector. Companies come and go, but fifty years of people struggling, laughing, failing, succeeding, and hoping together is a remarkable legacy.
An anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate, but it is also an invitation to look ahead. Over the next year, we will create opportunities to reflect on the past 50 years while turning our intention to what is in store over the next 50. We hope to unveil programming and initiatives that honour that commitment: supporting the generations of leaders among us now, and those still to come. You are the future of PACT and of our sector.
Thank you for celebrating with us.
-Brad