Welcome to Ann Hodges, PTE's new Artistic Director!

PTE is very excited to welcome Ann Hodges as our Artistic Director – the nineth since our creation in 1972.

If that name sounds familiar, it’s because you’ve seen Ann’s directing work on the PTE stage for years, sixteen plays in all. Her favourites include The Birds and the Bees, Butcher, The December Man, and Marion Bridge.

In fact, Ann’s history with this theatre spans three decades including serving as student, marketing assistant, teacher, and Artistic Associate (2014-15). 

In addition to her PTE connection, Ann has over three decades experience directing theatre, musicals, and opera across Canada. Her work has been seen on every professional stage in Winnipeg, and she recently made her international debut in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. She will shortly be directing Waitress for Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.

Ann is a sought-after dramaturg for new plays, musicals, and operas, guiding new works for The Blyth Festival, Charlottetown Festival, Musical Stage Company, Manitoba Theatre for Young People, Vancouver Opera, just to name a few.

A graduate of the National Theatre School (Directing), she is a frequent guest instructor at universities, colleges, and emerging artist programs. She has served on numerous boards including the Winnipeg Arts Council and Manitoba Association of Playwrights.

Ann officially joins the team full-time on November 4, 2024 and we’re all very much looking forward to working with her to take PTE into a bright future.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Managing Director Katie Inverarity and the team at Prairie Theatre Exchange. My first job at PTE was as a student selling subscriptions over three decades ago, and I’ve always considered PTE my artistic home. I’m passionate about honouring PTE’s legacy of creating clear, compelling and entertaining theatre for prairie audiences, supporting Canadian playwrights, and being an integral part of the community we live in — audiences and artists.

"Looking to the future, Im so excited about the relationships PTE will be building with its neighbours during the upcoming transformation of downtown Winnipeg — the city I’m proud to call home.”