Artistic Director
Daryl Cloran began his tenure with the Citadel in September 2016. Originally from Ontario, Daryl came to Edmonton after six years as Artistic Director of Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops, B.C. Daryl is a nationally recognized director, having directed at theatres across the country, including at the Arts Club, Bard on the Beach, Theatre Calgary, National Arts Centre, Shaw Festival, Canadian Stage, Tarragon Theatre, and Neptune Theatre. For the Citadel, Daryl has directed: A Christmas Carol, Matilda, Shakespeare in Love, The Silver Arrow, The Candidate and The Party, and Made in Italy. Daryl’s Beatles-infused, award-winning, musical adaptation of As You Like It has played across Canada, and will soon premiere at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and at Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
Daryl was the Artistic Director of Theatrefront in Toronto, known for its unique international theatre collaborations in countries such as South Africa and Bosnia-Herzegovina, which played nationally and internationally to much acclaim. Daryl is also the co-creator and director of DRUM! a musical extravaganza featuring the music and culture of Nova Scotia. DRUM! has toured across North America and has been featured at the 2010 Winter Olympics, Toronto’s Massey Hall, and Dollywood. Daryl has served as the New Play Development Coordinator of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, where he also worked as Assistant Director to Artistic Director Des McAnuff.
As Artistic Director, Daryl has built strong international connections for the Citadel, and has grown the Citadel’s reputation as a world-renowned theatre, including a feature in the New York Times, and two Citadel-associated shows currently playing on Broadway: Hadestown (winner of 8 Tony Awards and a Grammy Award), and SIX. The Citadel has premiered new work by Canadian playwrights in each season since Daryl’s arrival. Daryl has opened the doors of the Citadel to collaborations with many local theatre companies and artists, as well as striving to ensure our stages are a place where everyone feels they belong.
“My passion as a theatre-maker and Artistic Director is community. It is my job as Artistic Director of the Citadel Theatre to be a contributing part of Edmonton’s artistic community and to provide opportunities for local artists,” says Daryl. “I believe the Citadel must maintain a high-profile leadership role within Edmonton and continue to figure prominently as part of the international theatre scene. As Artistic Director, I pursue partnerships and opportunities to showcase the Citadel’s work on international stages. While the Edmonton community will always be our primary audience, audiences across the world should see our fabulous productions.”
“I value theatre that asks questions important to its community; I value creative risks,” he says. “The Citadel is an incredible theatre company with a history of innovation, high production values and important contributions to the Canadian theatre landscape. I want to build on this success, honour its traditions and also take appropriate risks to lead the Citadel into the next phase of its artistic growth.”
Daryl lives in Edmonton with his wife Holly, and their sons Liam and Jack.
Executive Director
The Citadel Theatre had the great pleasure of welcoming Sarah Pocklington as our new Executive Director in August 2021.
Sarah came to The Citadel with over 40 years experience as an arts manager, educator, performing artist and public servant. Through those years she has amassed an extensive array of experience that she brings to The Citadel as it emerges from the pandemic and continues its transformational changes.
Raised in Edmonton, Sarah joins The Citadel from her most recent position as the Arts Manager for First Peoples’ Cultural Council – Canada’s only First Nations-led Crown Agency, located in Victoria, B.C. Combined with her time at the British Columbia Arts Council and Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Sarah’s experience has supported strong youth and community programming, Indigenous community engagement, and focused on the creation of policies and programs that eliminate barriers for marginalized communities and foster career building opportunities in the arts.
In addition to her arts management background, Sarah brings her lived experience as a professional artist to this role. As a member of the multi-award winning, Juno nominated trio ASANI, Sarah has performed at many prestigious national and international events. An accomplished vocalist, composer, arranger and percussionist, Sarah holds a Music Degree from MacEwan University, which is only the tip of her educational background.
In combination with her work in arts and education, Sarah has championed anti-racism work throughout Alberta and British Columbia, helping to lead and inspire public policy creation and adoption. As The Citadel continues to uphold the 35//50 Initiative calling for a commitment to 35%+ BIPOC and 50%+ women and non-binary representation among staff and contractors by the 2024/25 season, we welcome Sarah’s leadership in helping us reach that goal.
Sarah joins us at a perfect time, as we joyfully continue with our programming post shut-down. As well as the continued realisation of the Citadel’s inclusive, innovative and international vision for the theatre, now accompanied by Sarah’s strengths with her multifaceted experience and background.
“I am passionate about community engagement and inclusivity,” she says. “What excites me most right now is finding ways to get rid of barriers and reach out to our communities to invite them to The Citadel.
Citadel Board of Directors
Jeff is Chair of the Board and is currently working for a large scale Engineering, Procurement and Construction firm within Edmonton. Jeff has a strong history of community involvement as he has served on other Boards and Committees within the Edmonton region such as Dogs with Wings and the Construction Owners Association of Alberta. Jeff enjoys giving back to organizations in Edmonton that contribute to Edmonton’s character and lifestyle.
Jennifer is Vice Chair of the board and Chair of the board’s Governance Committee. She is SVP, Sustainability, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at EPCOR Utilities Inc., and has served on a variety of non-profit boards including the Strathcona Shelter Society and currently Women General Counsel Canada. Jennifer is a passionate advocate for safe, inclusive workspaces, and she is proud to support the ongoing journey of the Citadel.
Wendy is past Chair of the Board and has served on the Citadel board since 2015. She is a Senior Partner with IBM Canada Ltd. and brings over 30 years of information technology, project management and consulting experience. Wendy has previously served on the Alberta Network for Health Information Exchange board, and has Bachelor of Science (Computing Science) and MBA degrees from the University of Alberta.
Constance is a museum professional who has worked in arts and culture management for over a decade. In her current role at TELUS World of Science – Edmonton, she builds relationships and collaborates with community to amplify the organization’s impact and relevance. Constance is passionate about cultivating vibrant communities through culture, while supporting the artists and professionals who make this possible.
Derrique (MEd) currently serves as a Curriculum Consultant with Edmonton Public Schools after having worked as an Arts Curriculum Consultant with Alberta Education. Prior to that, she was a Theatre Educator at Victoria School of the Arts. Additionally, she ran the KidsFringe at the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival and InkPulse, a summer writing camp, for the Writer’s Guild of Alberta. In addition to serving on the Citadel’s Board, Derrique is a committee member for the Greater Edmonton Teachers’ Convention, and a former Theatre Alberta board member.
Joy is a Finance Director with the provincial government. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. Joy’s passion for live theatre includes being a long time Citadel Theatre subscriber and volunteer, and serving on another theatre board, prior to joining the Citadel Board of Directors.
Roger joined the board of Citadel Theatre in 2020 and sits on the finance & audit committee. He provides senior leadership at Chandos Construction as Chief Financial Officer and is a member of its Board of Directors. Chandos is an employee-owned collaborative and innovative national builder which began in Edmonton in 1980. Roger was attracted to the Citadel for its commitment to diversity and its innovative programming.
Hunter is an actor as well as Co-Founder & Director of Story at Naheyawin. In 2018, he was recognized as Edmonton’s Best Actor by Vue Magazine and awarded a place in Edmonton’s esteemed Top 40 Under 40 class of 2018. When he isn’t welcoming people into Indigenous worldviews, he can be found baking or diving into stories new and old.
Dr. Costen is currently serving as Dean, Smith School of Business at Queen’s University. She is an academic leader who champions inclusive excellence, bringing a unique combination of experience in academic, as well as a private and public sector management career. Her collaborative approach stems from her military, private industry, and higher education experiences in the United States and Canada. Dr. Costen’s interests includes managing diversity, racial and gender inequality in organizations, women and leadership, and strategic human resources. She often dedicates her personal time to creating safe spaces to discuss these topics, and engage critical thinking, understanding, awareness, and intentional action.
Kaitlyn is a member of our Development & Advancement Committee. She currently works as a marketing strategist in Edmonton with a background in start-ups and Alberta-based financial institutions. In addition to serving on The Citadel Theatre board, she also is an active member of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Edmonton Hub and a mentor basketball coach.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Solomon Rolingher, Q.C. Chair
Marshall Shoctor, Q.C. Past Chair
J. G. Greenough, F.C.A. Treasurer
Tom Redl, Secretary
Frederick K. Campbell
Jacqueline Charlesworth
Wendy Dupree, Ex Officio
Anne Foote (Honourary)
Ada Hole
Jack McBain
Arliss Miller
Aroon Sequeira
Chris Sheard
Kayla Shoctor
Dr. Robert Westbury
Sheila Witwicky
Ralph Young