The Arts Station has a new Executive Director, after Oz Parsons decided it was time to leave after four years in the job.
Brian Dorscht comes from Calgary where, for 13 years, he was the Artistic Executive Director of the Calgary Young People’s Theatre.
While he was working with the Young People’s Theatre he helped produce four main stage plays a year, and managed a theatre school with an average of 100 students each year.
“My daughters were lucky growing up in the theatre company as both it and they grew together. While neither of them have chosen a career in the arts, they have a good appreciation for the performing arts,“ said Dorscht.
After working for the Young People’s Theatre, Dorscht worked for the City of Calgary as their performing arts and events coordinator. He was also an instructor of theatre for young audiences at the University of Calgary for six years.
Dorscht began working professionally in the performing arts while in his early teens as an actor and a singer.
In his early thirties, his career changed from performing to directing, vocal coaching, and artistic directorship which includes arts management, a combination which he thoroughly enjoys.
Changes in his personal life had Dorscht looking for a new adventure and he was intrigued when a friend forwarded the ad for ED of The Arts Station.
“Fernie is great! It already has a good arts scene. There’s a real sense of adventure here. Every time someone hits the hills, a new adventure begins,” said Dorscht.
“That’s what I’d like to do here with the arts: find new adventures, plan new and exciting programs building on its successes for both the residents and tourists and really celebrate the talent already in Fernie.”