Highlands Summer Festival Appoints New Artistic Producer

On the heels of another incredible season, the president of Highlands Summer Festival board of directors, Brian Kipping, is pleased to announce the appointment of Douglas, “Dougie” Walker to the position of Artistic Producer of the community’s summer theatre company. Walker follows Scot Denton who stepped down from the post in August after 17 years with the company.
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“We are delighted to have Dougie join our team in this important position,” Kipping commented in making the announcement, noting that Denton had worked with the board on the appointment. “Dougie brings multiple theatre talents and experience to the job. The board and our many volunteers look forward to working with him.”

Just this past summer, Walker directed and choreographed the Festival’s musical comedy presentation of The Twenty-fifth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Patrons will also be familiar with his one person show from 2022 Every Brilliant Thing, and his lead role in the 2017 production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He also brings with him extensive experience and training from Great Britain.
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Dougie recently moved to Haliburton with his wife, Jocelyn Regina, and their son Lachlan. Jocelyn has been a part of numerous Highlands Summer Festival productions as an actor and crew member dating back to 2002. 

“I am looking forward to working with this company,” Walker commented.” Especially following on the work of Scot Denton, who has successfully guided the Highlands Summer Festival artistically for 17 years.”

Denton, who moved on to other projects, stepped down as Artistic Producer in August.  He joined the company is 2005 as a director and was appointed Artistic Producer in 2008. "Over the years he has directed numerous productions and mentored other directors and actors, enriching the presentations of the Highlands Summer Festival,” Kipping commented. Denton wished the new Artistic Producer well, noting that he brings a great deal of talent and experience to the post and that he is available to consult with the board of directors during the transition. “I was pleased to see him appointed to the position and I am sure he will continue to nurture the high standards that the company has achieved over the years.”
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Walker will hit the ground running this fall as an immediate task is to create a line-up of productions for the coming 2025 season, which will be announced later this fall. For updates on the season please visitwww.highlandssummerfestival.on.ca
 
 “We welcome Dougie to Highlands Summer Festival in his new capacity and look forward to exciting things to come,” Kipping concluded.
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