Upcoming Changes at Common Ground Arts

With gratitude, bittersweetness, and excitement for what’s to come, the Common Ground Arts Society Board of Directors announces the departure of Managing Producer Rainier Pearl-Styles later this fall. Rainier was brought into Common Ground because of her curiosity, thoughtfulness, and fresh perspectives as a recent transplant to Edmonton. She joined outgoing Managing Producer Mac Brock in February and we have been excited to see her grow into the role in her short time with us. Rainier has received an exciting opportunity that will take her family to the west coast this fall and she will not continue in the role of Managing Producer. Common Ground is thrilled for Rainier’s continued success and wishes her the best on her next steps.

Of course, this leadership transition poses new questions and challenges, and we see this moment as a time to recommit to our values of radical transparency, intention, and care. The Board of Directors is mobilizing to support Rainier’s transition away from the organization later this fall and will have further updates in the coming weeks. This may be a moment of transition, but we are confident in our ability to be agile and support the exciting season we have planned.

FROM RAINIER
When my wife and I moved to Edmonton in 2024, it became clear to us this was a very special community. The passion for producing boundary-pushing independent theatre is nearly overshadowed by the compassion, care, and openness this community offers. As a newcomer to Canada, you all have welcomed me with open arms and made Edmonton home, and I am filled with gratitude. 

That’s why I am so unbelievably sad that I will be stepping away from my role at Common Ground Arts later this fall. In my short time with Common Ground, I’ve been privileged to get to know many of you in new ways through informal chats, rained-out shows, exciting new work, and late night karaoke. I do not take for granted the trust you put in me as a new leader, and I am so sorry to be leaving so soon. 

I remain in awe of what Edmonton is offered by this transformative organization, and I’m very confident in the strength of both Common Ground and the Edmonton arts ecosystem to manage this transition with ease, grace, and care.

FROM AINSLEY
We are thrilled for Rainier and this wonderful new opportunity, we wish them all the best on this exciting west coast adventure. Working through this staffing transition I am reminded of the passion and tenacity of the folks who make up our Board of Directors. I am deeply grateful to them all and the work they have already put into this staffing transition. We have such an invested and dedicated team who care deeply about this organization, our staff, our artists and our patrons. As such we are thoughtfully planning a transition period with an aim to have the CGAS community feel supported and informed. We could not be in more capable hands when it comes to the current makeup of humans contributing to this organization’s success, which includes our staff, our artists and the community that supports us. 

SO WHAT’S NEXT?
Rainier will remain in her role through the mid-fall, supporting our Prairie Mainstage show, I Don’t Even Miss You. You will hear from the Board of Directors shortly about our next steps in supporting the future leadership of the organization, and in the meantime, we will continue our commitment to boundary-pushing indie theatre. Both Rainier and Ainsley are available to answer questions you may have and encourage you to reach out. 

Thank you all for making Common Ground the place it is. We look forward to continuing to grow together. 

Onwards! 

– Ainsley Hillyard and the CGAS Board of Directors.