CANADA’S LEADING BLACK ARTS ORGANIZATION, OBSIDIAN THEATRE COMPANY, ANNOUNCES MICHAEL SINCLAIR WILL BE STEPPING DOWN AS THE GENERAL MANAGER

Toronto, ON – August 21, 2026 Obsidian Theatre Company announced today that General Manager Michael Sinclair will step down December 31, 2026, following a nine-year tenure with the company.

Michael joined Obsidian in the role of General Manager in 2017 and he brought with him an extensive knowledge of the arts community after being a stage manager for over 20 years.  He has a degree in Accounting (Concordia University) and training in the accounting field.  As Obsidian’s General Manager, he effectively combined his financial background and administrative expertise, culminating in his superior leadership of the company. While in his role as GM at Obsidian, Michael has served and is currently on the boards of the Toronto Arts Council (TAC) and the Stage Managing the Arts (SMArts).  He is also the Past President of the Board of Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA). He served on the search committees of several arts organizations in their search for replacement of leadership roles including TAC, Factory Theatre, Summerworks to name a few. Michael has worked closely with Obsidian’s artistic leadership, Board of Directors, staff, funders and community partners to support the company’s operations and advance its mandate. His contribution has helped provide the organizational foundation that allows Obsidian to continue creating ambitious work, investing in Black artists and contributing to the broader Canadian theatre landscape.

Michael’s association with Obsidian began long before 2017, when he assumed the role of the Company’s General Manager – position rebranded to Managing Director for his replacement.  Michael stage-managed Obsidian’s first production in 2001, Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God, written and directed by Djanet Sears, and went on to stage manage several of Obsidian’s other shows after that. While stage managing, Michael worked with several of the country’s leading theatre companies including Mirvish Productions, The Stratford Festival, Soulpepper Theatre, Canadian Stage and Young Peoples Theatre to name a few. 

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Michael for his service and commitment to Obsidian,” said Beverley Thomas-Barnes, Chair of the Board of Directors.  “Leading a small arts organization requires an extraordinary combination of dedication, adaptability and care.  Michael has brought those qualities to his work and has been a valued partner to the Board, our artistic leadership and the entire Obsidian team.  In my role, I have had the opportunity to experience his professionalism, authenticity, unwavering guidance and advice. We wish him every happiness as he begins this next chapter.”

Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu, Artistic Director of Obsidian, added; “I am immensely grateful to Michael for his incredible support to me and my vision as an artistic leader over the past six years. He has been such a loyal, trusted, co-leader and confidante, always ready to walk through fire for the company and the artists that we serve. He is such an important voice not only to Obsidian, but to the industry, in all the ways he has served and supported artists in the rehearsal hall as a stage manager, as a GM and on many boards and forums over his expansive career. PLUS, he is simply the best human, with the biggest heart. We will deeply miss him at Obsidian, but we are all excited for him and what he chooses to do next.”

Reflecting on his time with Obsidian, Michael said:

“I knew going to work at Obsidian as their General Manager was a great move. Working with Philip and being able to pick his brain was a total no brainer for me. Having worked with Philip as Director/Stage Manager was a dream, he valued and encouraged my input and as GM it was more of the same but knowing that he would shut me down just as easily if my ideas were counterproductive, Thank you, boss man!  From day one on the job as GM, the community reached out with a generosity of support to help the transition, there are some people that I have to single out and thank. Thank you, Tania, Beth and Keith, there were several others but I need to you know it was appreciated.  To the Board past and present, while I won’t mention individuals, you have all guided me, prodded and pushed me to become a better Human, thank you. Obsidian is a place that humanizes your soul, gives you a sense of belonging and makes you a member of the family. danjelani, Cherise and Natasha you are a powerhouse team and I will truly miss you. Mumbi, we worked together at World Pride 2014 outside of the OTC realm, but we became really close after you started here at Obsidian.  You have been an inspiration from championing 21 Black Futures, with a small staff while in a pandemic. Your directing skills on some of the shows you have done at OTC has left me in awe. More than that you have become more than just a colleague, but a true friend that I will treasure and hold close to my heart as I move on. THANK YOU FRIEND! I will end this with a line from one of the shows I did:  “A Time Novelette A Time!”

Michael will continue to work with the Board and Artistic Director until December 31, 2026 to ensure a smooth transition.  The Board has started the process of recruiting Obsidian’s Managing Director, one who can build on Michael’s remarkable legacy. A public call for the position is expected to be released in the coming weeks. Obsidian will recognize Michael and celebrate his leadership, vision and immense contribution to the Company at an event in the near future.