Bernard Amyot, Ad. E., elected Chair of the National Theatre School of Canada

MONTREAL, Feb. 22, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The National Theatre School of Canada (NTS) is proud to announce that Mr. Bernard Amyot, Ad. E., was elected Chair of the NTS Board of Directors and its Board of Governors on February 17. He succeeds outgoing Chair, Marc Blondeau. Mr. Amyot, until recently Quebec Vice-Chair of the NTS, becomes the 18^th elected chair in the 50-year history of the NTS.

Bernard Amyot is senior partner in the litigation group of Heenan Blaikie (Montreal) and is recognized as a leading practitioner in the area of corporate and commercial litigation in Canada. In 2007-2008, he was national president of the Canadian Bar Association. In 2009, he was a recipient of the Quebec Bar's honorary title of Emeritus Lawyer. In 2011, he became Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

He has a longstanding involvement in arts and education; has acted as chair of Brébeuf College and has been a director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. NTS stands to benefit from Mr. Amyot's expertise in the areas of governance, strategic planning and fundraising.

Underlining the important role the National Theatre School plays in Canada and abroad, he said, "I am convinced of the value of the NTS in Canada's cultural landscape and it is with great enthusiasm that I assume my new role as Chair. I am mindful of the importance of preserving the School's heritage. Working in concert with my fellow board members as well as with the CEO, I will continue to encourage research into innovative ways to make theatre and thus ensuring that the unique character of the NTS will flourish."

At this time, when the School is looking ahead to the next 50 years, I will make certain that this remarkable institution benefits from a heightened national profile and is recognized for what it is — a creative lab nurturing Canadian theatre talent and more broadly, fostering Canadian culture."

National Theatre School CEO, Simon Brault, welcomed Mr. Amyot with these words: "I am truly impressed by Bernard Amyot's resolve and sense of commitment and I am convinced that with his accomplished style, he will guide the School toward distinct and new horizons."

The mission of the NTS is to contribute to the recognition, flourishing and development of the highest universal standards of theatre arts and practice by training professionals in all disciplines in a national school that is co-lingual, diverse and open to Canadian society and the world.

For further information:

Source: National Theatre School of Canada

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