Melissa Novecosky
Melissa Novecosky is a respected and dedicated arts administrator with over 15 years of experience in arts and culture leadership. She joined the Shaw Festival’s executive team in 2024 as the Associate Executive Director and oversees the general management of all areas at the festival and publicly represents the organization when needed.
Prior to joining The Shaw, Melissa led a team of dedicated fundraisers as the Director of Development at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. She started her career as a stage manager and since 2006 she has had the pleasure of working on over 50 productions at theatres across the country. Trained at the National Theatre School, she honed her skills on a variety of productions from some the smallest stages to some of the largest including the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Prairie Theatre Exchange, Rainbow Stage, and Soulpepper. She is a member of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association and a former member of Equity’s National Council, representing the stage management region.
Melissa stays connected to the stage management community through education and mentorship. She is committed to 2SLGBTQ+ advocacy and creating a thriving theatre environment through collaborative and inclusive practices.