May 13, 2025
COW HEAD, NL – After many years of service, TNL’s General Manager Denise Dolliver has announced she will be retiring at the end of the year.
Denise took on the General Manager role in 2023, after working for TNL for more than 20 years in a variety of roles, including stage manager, designer, production manager and company manager (just to name a few). She has made incredible contributions to TNL over her long career and has been a resident of Cow Head since 2007.
With retirement on the horizon, Denise said, “I love the art and craft of theatre and sharing that with others – with audience, with colleagues, with community, and especially with youth. This has been my purpose for 35 years and will likely continue to be my purpose although the path may be different. I have loved working for TNL and wish the company an abundance of prosperity in the future. I am very excited to see what comes next with Nick and a new GM guiding TNL. This will be my third attempt to retire – maybe third time is a charm!”
Board Chair Pamela Gill said she’s sad to say goodbye to Denise, but grateful for the solid foundation Denise is leaving the company.
“Theatre Newfoundland Labrador finds itself in a secure and happy place, thanks in part to Denise Dolliver. She is a meticulous administrator, never leaving a stone unturned to find answers to challenges we’ve faced. Her retirement is well deserved – her legacy sets an example for all of us, one of determination and courage. Although she won’t be acting as our GM, I expect she will continue to support us in myriad ways in the community of Cow Head.”
Nicholas Leno, TNL’s artistic producer, aims to carry on Denise’s incredible commitment to TNL and the community of Cow Head.
“The level of passion and care Denise brings to TNL is nothing short of magnificent. She has done so much work over the last two years to make the Nurse Myra Bennett Centre accessible to our community, especially to youth who are interested in learning about the arts. She’s helped me settle into my role at TNL and has gone out of her way to introduce me to the community here in Cow Head and make me feel at home. For that I will forever be grateful to her. I have a feeling that Denise’s passion for teaching and sharing the magic of live theatre with local youth will bring her back through our doors in the future.”
After completing the 2025 Gros Morne Theatre Festival season Denise will finish the calendar year with TNL in a part-time capacity, allowing for a smooth transition with the incoming General Manager.
The process of recruiting a new General Manager is now underway. TNL plans to have a new General Manager in place by the fall; our audiences, artists and community will be apprised of the process as it unfolds.