David Leyshon named interim artistic producer at Lighthouse Festival

Lighthouse Festival has appointed David Leyshon as interim artistic producer for its 2026 season.

Leyshon is a theatre artist, director, and educator with decades of experience in live performance and television. He joins the company as it prepares its 2026 programming, continuing its mandate of producing comedy-driven Canadian theatre in Port Dover and Port Colborne.

As interim artistic producer, Leyshon will collaborate with the Lighthouse artistic team on season planning and creative leadership, overseeing productions at both venues. He will also direct Lighthouse’s 2026 community production, the musical comedy Curtains.

Executive director Nicole Campbell said in a press release that Leyshon’s breadth of experience across performance, direction, and education makes him well suited to the role: “He brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach to both artists and process.” 

Lighthouse Festival has built its reputation on producing accessible, Canadian comedies for its lakeside communities. The company’s 2026 lineup includes a fake-funeral farce, the world premiere of a restaurant-set espionage romp, and a ‘70s jukebox concert.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining [the] Lighthouse Festival,” said Leyshon in the same press release. “Laughter matters. Now more than ever, people need opportunities to come together, and escape for a couple of hours.”

During this interim period, Lighthouse Festival’s board of directors will oversee a search for a permanent artistic director. 

More information about Lighthouse Festival Theatre and the upcoming 2026 season can be found on their website.

Lighthouse Festival is an Intermission partner. Learn more about Intermission’s partnership model here.

WRITTEN BY

Krystal Abrigo

Krystal is Intermission’s Publishing and Editorial Coordinator. A Scarborough-based writer of Philippine and Egyptian descent who enjoys reading bell hooks, Audre Lorde, and James Baldwin. At any given moment, you can probably find her at a concert, or on a long walk somewhere in Toronto (or elsewhere).

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