David Nairn

On a Wednesday morning in early October, Theatre Orangeville artistic director David Nairn is in his happy place. The “Dreams Factory” in East Garafraxa is in a building the theatre shares with Community Living Dufferin (CLD), an organization supporting neurodivergent adults. Theatre Orangeville’s portion houses a set-building shop, prop and costume storage, and, most important, the Nancy and Doc Gillies Rehearsal Hall. Explaining why he loves it so much, David says, “The rehearsal hall is a process room, as opposed to the theatre, which is a product room. This is where the magic happens.”

After 25 years, and more than 90 plays and musicals, David is preparing to step back from his role in the summer of 2025.

Under David’s leadership, Theatre Orangeville has become recognized as unique in Canada, both for the number of original Canadian works it stages, and for the innovative way it connects with the community. 

Though his official title may be artistic director, David has wholly committed himself to Headwaters, serving on a dizzying number of boards and committees, and finding ways for the theatre to partner with a wide range of service agencies – Dufferin Child & Family Services, Family Transition Place, the Orangeville library, its food bank, and Kerry’s Place to name only a few. By way of the theatre’s Young Company and its Youth Singers, David has fostered and advocated for hundreds of kids and adolescents. “It’s been great to see young people who have been through Theatre Orangeville creating art in their own way,” he says. “We have people working at Stratford, all over the place.” 

And the residents of Headwaters have been receptive to his efforts. “I truly believe there is no community in the country that embraces the arts like Dufferin,” David says. Prior to moving to Orangeville, he says he lived the life of a nomadic actor, and adds, “I feel like I grew up here. Before this, I hadn’t really had a place to call home.”

The theatre’s longtime partnership with Community Living Dufferin extends beyond sharing a building, and it’s one David says, “Lies in my heart.” 

Through the Creative Partners on Stage program, CLD clients have the opportunity to work with the theatre’s professional production team, developing and staging two original scripts each year. “There’s nothing more exciting than creating work that allows everyone to express who they are. Especially neurodiverse people, and those who are the most marginalized,” David says. “It’s been a huge part of my personal growth.”

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Less happily in recent years, he notes the pandemic was brutal for Canada’s theatre industry. “Talented people have left the industry in droves, and young people aren’t coming in at the same level.” Theatre Orangeville was not spared from the challenges, but while many companies closed altogether, David says he’s proud that at Theatre Orangeville, “No one missed a paycheque.” 

The search for David’s replacement is underway, with a new artistic director expected to be announced in early 2025. Although his wife, entertainer Leisa Way, is already asking, “So, what are you going to do all day?” David has no concerns about keeping busy. He will remain with the theatre in an emeritus role, developing opportunities for the theatre he hadn’t previously had time to pursue. He also plans to work with other organizations across the country to advance the Creative Partners on Stage concept. 

Asked to name a favourite show from the last quarter century, David says he can’t choose one: “I look at all the season posters and there are moments I remember from every show.”