CITIZENS THEATRE LOOKS TO APPOINT NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AS REDEVELOPMENT ENTERS FINAL STAGES

As work progresses towards the re-opening of the Citizens Theatre later this year following a major redevelopment, the producing house is looking to appoint a new Executive Director to work alongside Artistic Director Dominic Hill as Joint Chief Executive.

After more than five years in the role, Alex McGowan has announced that he will stand down from the position in the summer of 2024. Alex has been pivotal in guiding the redevelopment project through to its final year of completion. In December, the company marked ‘one year to go’,with productions on stage anticipated to return by the end of this year.

He will hand over to a new Executive Director as the focus moves to the company’s first years of operation in its new home.

Alex will remain in post until summer 2024 allowing succession planning to be in place.

On announcing the news, Chair of the Board, Paul McNamee said:

“Alex has made a remarkable contribution to the Citizens Theatre in the last 5 years.In a challenging period for the performing arts sector, he has worked tirelessly in partnership with Dominic to keep the vision for our new building on track while remaining connected to our audiences and participants. In my short time as Chair, I have hugely enjoyed working and learning from Alex. He is a leader of incredible talent, knowledge and energy. On behalf of the Board, I thank him for everything he has done to secure the future of the Citizens Theatre as we approach re-opening and a new chapter in our history.”

Artistic Director, Dominic Hill said:

“Everyone at the Citz is hugely grateful to Alex for his leadership over the last five years, and in particular his unrelenting resolve to bring the building redevelopment project to completion. Later this year we will finally re-open a building that is fit for purpose and allows us to fulfil our artistic, accessibility and sustainability goals. He has made an essential contribution to the future of the Citizens Theatre and I wish him every success in his future endeavours.”

Alex McGowan said:

"I am really proud of everything the Citizens Theatre has achieved during my time with the company. I joined during a significant period of change as demolition works commenced on the building redevelopment and we became a producing theatre operating without our own building. Now, as plans for reopening start to take shape and the focus moves to the company’s first years in its fantastic new home, it feels the right time to start the process of appointing a new Executive Director to take those plans forward. I have relished this leadership role in Scottish theatre, which will continue to be very close to my heart.”

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For media enquiries please contact:

Susie Gray, Premier Scotland | susie.gray@premiercomms.com | 07834 073 795

Alison MacKinnon, Head of Marketing, Citizens Theatre | alison@citz.co.uk | 07950 421 374

Notes to Editors

Alex McGowan bio:

Alex has been Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive Officer of the Citizens Theatre since March 2019. Previously he was Executive Director/Joint CEO at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company in Edinburgh for eight years. Alex has more than 30 years’ experience gained throughout the UK in theatres ranging from the Macrobert in Stirling and Northern Stage in Newcastle upon Tyne to the Young Vic and Unicorn Theatres in London. From 2012-2018 Alex was Chair of the Federation of Scottish Theatres.

Citizens Theatre bio:

The Citizens Theatre is Glasgow’s major producing theatre and one of the leading theatre companies in the UK. It is internationally renowned for ground-breaking theatre productions and a pioneering programme of participatory and community work. Artistically led by Dominic Hill, who is regarded as having “a talent for classical drama which is genuinely world class.”, the theatre presents bold new interpretations of classic texts alongside new writing. It is proudly rooted in the Gorbals community at the heart of Glasgow’s cultural and creative offering, while maintaining a national and international outlook. 

Redevelopment Project:

The Citizens Theatre moved out of its historic home in the Gorbals in June 2018, ahead of the first major redevelopment of the Category B listed building since it began life as a working theatre in 1878. The redeveloped building will transform the experiences of audiences, participants and performers and secure the future of one of Scotland’s most iconic buildings and leading producing theatre companies.

The last 18 months have seen several major milestones on site, including the installation of a new fly tower and the return of the theatre’s original stone sculptures to the building’s roof. Designed by Bennetts Associates, the extensive redevelopment is bringing the iconic building into the 21st century. At its heart is a substantial restoration of the original sandstone Victorian auditorium, wrapped in an entirely new three storey building which crucially provides universal access for artist sand audiences. It also delivers new rehearsal, participation, and studio spaces supporting expanded activities for the community and offering Scotland’s rich ecology of theatre companies’ new spaces to rehearse and perform in. This includes a new 150 seat Studio Theatre.

Key funders of the project include Glasgow City Council, Scottish Government, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Creative Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland in addition to a range of trusts and foundations and individual supporters.

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