Winnipeg theatre director Nick Kowalchuk plans to move from running the city's successful Fringe festival to running a theatre on the fringe of the Fringe.
Kowalchuk, executive director of the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, announced Thursday he was resigning to take charge of the Gas Station Theatre as of Nov. 13.
The Gas Station Theatre almost closed in 2004 and has struggled financially in recent years.
The 235-seat venue, in the city's Osborne Village neighbourhood, has hosted shows by an eclectic group of artists and students, but has not developed a regular program.
Under Kowalchuk's direction, the Winnipeg Fringe had its most successful year to date in 2007, with paid attendance of 71,921 and $470,030 in box office revenue.
Now 20 years old, it is one of North America's most successful Fringe festivals.
Kowalchuk, 44, is hoping to work some of the same magic to turn the Gas Station Theatre around.
The Fringe used the Gas Station Theatre as a venue this summer, and Kowalchuk told CBC News he wants that arrangement to continue.
"You know what we'll do is I can head up the mini-Fringe — you know, the Osborne Village Fringe, that arm's-length component — and just grow that little mole off the main Fringe area, and this is something that we can work on," Kowalchuk said.
Before taking on the Winnipeg Fringe Festival in 2003, Kowalchuk worked for the Manitoba Theatre Centre, which produces the Fringe, for 15 years.
He was also responsible for the Master Playwright Festival and the MTC/Manitoba Bar Association Community Play.
Geoff Devenney, formerly executive director at Gas Station Theatre, resigned from the job to join Cirque du Soleil.
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