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Dennis Garnhum

Birth Place: London

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Dennis Garnhum BIO

Dennis became the new Artistic Director at the Grand Theatre in the fall of 2016. The move was a coming home for Dennis. Growing up in London, his theatre career began at the Grand with a role in Antler River at age 13.

Since arriving in London, Dennis created several new programs: COMPASS, 100 Schools, and 1000 Seats, plus formed a new partnership with Sheridan College Music Theatre Program to expand the High School Project.

The 2017/18 Season is the first at the Grand programmed by Dennis and is the biggest season in the theatre’s history; one that doubles the number of actors on stage, features the world premiere of Silence, the North American premiere of Chariots of Fire and a new adaptation of A Christmas Carol, which represents Dennis’ directing debut at the Grand.

Dennis has also worked across North America, directing plays, musicals and operas at a number of companies, including Vancouver Opera, National Arts Centre, Shaw Festival, Stratford Festival, Tarragon Theatre, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Florida Grand Opera, American Conservancy Theatre (A.C.T.), Bard on the Beach, Pacific Opera Victoria, Belfry Theatre, and Neptune Theatre. His co-adaptation (with author Cathy Ostlere) of Lost – A Memoir was nominated for a 2012 Governor General’s Literary Award.

Before coming to London, Dennis was Artistic Director of Theatre Calgary from 2005 to 2016. During his tenure, eight world premieres were developed and staged. Many of these plays have gone on to further productions across Canada and the United States. Dennis has directed nearly 20 productions for Theatre Calgary, including the world premieres of Lost – A Memoir, Beyond Eden and Timothy Findley’s The Wars. His final production at Theatre Calgary which he directed was the world premiere of the musical adaptation of The Little Prince.

Dennis is a recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee and a Calgary Award for Community Achievement in Arts.

Dennis Garnhum Productions

 
[New York, 2006]
Director

Dennis Garnhum News


THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG & More Set for Theatre Calgary's 24-25 Season


Theatre Calgary has revealed its 2024-25 season of  plays. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

CLUE Extends at the Grand Theatre


The Grand Theatre's run of Clue, directed by Dennis Garnhum, has been extended through to March 31, 2024.

CLUE Comes to The Grand Theatre This Month


Clue is coming to the Grand Theatre this month. The usual suspects will collide on the Spriet Stage at the Grand Theatre from March 12 to 30.

KIM'S CONVENIENCE Returns To The Grand Theatre


After leaving London audiences in stitches in 2013, Ins Choi's Kim's Convenience returns to the Grand Theatre's Spriet Stage from October 17th – November 4th to open the Theatre's 2023/24 Season.

Grand Theatre Appoints Rachel Peake as Artistic Director


Following an extensive, international search process, the Board of Directors of London’s Grand Theatre has announced that Rachel Peake has been appointed as the Theatre’s next Artistic Director. Learn more about Peake and when she will take over as Artistic Director here!

EAST COAST KITCHEN PARTY Comes to the Grand Theatre Next Week


Following nine captivating productions, and a year of uninterrupted live theatre, the Grand Theatre closes its 2022/23 season on a celebratory note with Neptune Theatre’s East Coast Kitchen Party from April 18th through May 7th.

Grand Theatre Announces CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY And More For 2023/24 Season


Artistic Director, Dennis Garnhum and Executive Director, Evan Klassen have announced the Grand Theatre’s 2023/24 playbill - a “Season of Pure Imagination,” on stage from September 2023 through May 2024.

FALL ON YOUR KNEES Comes to the Grand Theatre


Following acclaimed performances across the nation, the Grand Theatre will present the final performances of the epic, two-part stage adaptation of author Ann-Marie MacDonald’s beloved Canadian classic Fall On Your Knees from March 29th through April 2nd.

Grand Theatre Presents the World Premiere of RUBABOO: A Métis Cabaret with Andrea Menard


Songs and stories of reconciliation, advocacy, and love will flow through the Grand Theatre’s Spriet Stage from March 7th through 25th at the world premiere of Rubaboo: A Métis Cabaret with Andrea Menard. Derived from the Michif word for “leftovers stew” or “big pot,” Rubaboo will take audiences on an intimate, moving, and joyous musical journey – led by award-winning singer and songwriter, Andrea Menard.

HOMES: A REFUGEE STORY Comes to the Grand Theatre Next Week


What is it like to live through a civil war? This is the question that audiences will experience first-hand at the world premiere of Homes: A Refugee Story – playing on the Grand Theatre’s Auburn Stage February 21st through March 5th.

Rick Miller Returns to Grand Theatre with Explosive Multimedia Show: BOOM X


Following his smash-hit performance of BOOM in 2015, award-winning, multi-talented Rick Miller returns to the Grand Theatre with his highly-anticipated sequel production: BOOM X.  Miller takes on the roles of writer, director, and performer in this international hit show, which utilizes a variety of dynamic, multimedia elements to bring the music, politics, and culture of Generation X to life. 

Grand Theatre Celebrates 25th Anniversary Of The High School Project With Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA


After 24 ground-breaking seasons, the Grand Theatre's renowned youth mentorship program, the High School Project (HSP) will celebrate its 25th anniversary with the longest running show in Broadway history: Andrew Lloyd's Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.

Grand Theatre Presents the Ontario Premiere of Andrea Scott's CONTROLLED DAMAGE


The inspirational, true story of Canadian Civil Rights hero, Viola Desmond comes to life on the Grand Theatre’s Spriet Stage at the Ontario premiere of Controlled Damage – by London playwright Andrea Scott. The acclaimed production, playing January 17th through January 29th, is directed by Ray Hogg and stars Beck Lloyd as Viola Desmond. 

ELF THE MUSICAL Returns To The Spriet Stage This Holiday Season


Back by overwhelming demand is the most popular holiday show in Grand Theatre history: Elf – The Musical – starring Izad Etemadi as Buddy the Elf and directed by Dennis Garnhum.

Grand Theatre Presents Three-Time Dora-Nominated Auditory Voyage, MIXTAPE


From November 8th – 13th, the Grand Theatre will welcome award-winning actor, Zorana Sadiq to its Auburn Stage for her powerful and mellifluous one-person play: MixTape – presented by Crow’s Theatre. 

World Premiere Of GRAND GHOSTS Recounts Grand Theatre's Mysterious, Vaudeville Origins


From October 18th through November 5th, London's Grand Theatre takes a step back in time to uncover a century-old mystery in the world premiere of Grand Ghosts. 

Grand Theatre Opens its 2022/2023 Season with the High School Project: INTO THE WOODS


The Grand Theatre’s High School Project – the only of its kind in North America – returns to open the Theatre’s 2022-2023 season with Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony Award-winning musical, Into the Woods. Directed by notable Canadian actor and director, Saccha Dennis, Into the Woods plays September 20 to October 1, 2022 for twelve performances on the Spriet Stage.  

Grand Theatre Announces 2022/23 Season Featuring Four World Premieres


Following two seasons of darkened stages, restricted interactions, and limited live theatre, London’s Grand Theatre is lifting the curtain on its 2022/23 season - unveiling a full return to the stage with ten powerful productions, four world premieres, and an exhilarating five-concert series from Jeans ’n Classics.

The Grand Theatre to Present the World Premiere of GROW


Is the grass always greener on the other side? From April 19 to 30, this age-old question will be theatrically explored as London’s Grand Theatre presents the World Premiere of the Canadian musical comedy GROW. 

Grand Theatre's High School Project Ventures INTO THE WOODS For Its 24th Season


Following two years of online programming, the Grand Theatre's renowned youth mentorship program, the High School Project returns to the Spriet Stage for its 24th season with Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical, Into the Woods. 

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