Jane Spence assumed the role of Lighthouse Festival’s Artistic Director on October 1, 2024.
With over 27 years of experience in theatres across Canada, Jane’s rich background in directing and performance has provided her with a deep appreciation for the arts and the transformative power of storytelling. After returning for many seasons and serving as Artistic Associate since 2021, Jane has found her home at Lighthouse Theatre. She is dedicated to upholding the high standards of production that audiences have come to expect and is particularly passionate about the development of new Canadian comedies, striving to bring fresh voices and innovative stories to the stage. Outside of her professional life, Jane resides in Port Dover with her husband, son, and their beloved dog, where she enjoys a fulfilling balance of family life and artistic pursuits. Jane looks forward to continuing her journey in the community and building on the incredible legacy forged by former Artistic Director, Derek Ritschel.
Lighthouse Festival Theatre Credits
Actor
When the Reaper Calls, The Melville Boys, and Beyond the Sea.
Director
First Name Basis (Associate Director), The Numbers Game (Associate Director), Halfway There, On The Air, Where You Are, Doris and Ivy in the Home, and The Sweet Delilah Swim Club.
Select Canadian theatre acting credits
Dead Right, The Bluff, Same Time, Next Year, Laneway Café, A Christmas Story, Elvis & Mavis, Ed’s Garage (Theatre Orangeville), Death of a Salesman, The Heiress (Drayton Entertainment), Henry the IV: Parts I & II, The Two Noble Kinsmen, Henry VI, Tempest – TOST, Love’s Labors Lost (Stratford Festival), The Great Gatsby (The Grand Theatre), Calendar Girls (Mirvish Entertainment), Of Mice and Men (Vancouver Playhouse), Five Alarm, The Birds and the Bees (Port Stanley Theatre), Matt & Ben (Poor Alex), The Cop Play (Fringe Festival).
Select Canadian theatre directing credits
As Director: Wildly Romantic (Foster Festival), Ed’s Garage (Port Stanley Theatre), The Exonerated (Vanier College), True Love and the Nature of Miracles (York Region Festival of One Act Plays), The Birds and the Bees (Theatre Orangeville), The Little Prince (Compass Theatre Productions), Auto-Erotic Misadventure (One Act Festival).
As Assistant Director: Sexy Laundry, Miracle on 34th Street, The Ghost Island Light (Theatre Orangeville)
Select Canadian TV/Film acting credits
Television: Stargate SG-1, Orphan Black, Outer Limits, Kingdom Force, Sue Thomas F.B.Eye, Cold Squad, Inspectors II, Seven Days, Two, Great Canadian Ghost Stories.
Film: Secondhand Rose, The Vigil, Stone Coats, Adam’s Eye, The Storyteller: The Follower, Bloodlines, Apocalypse, Carpe Diem, Country Roads.
Awards
- Jesse Award for Best Ensemble (Of Mice and Men – Vancouver Playhouse)
- Pumphouse Festival of One Act Plays: Best Director & Best Production, Nomination for Best Actress (Auto-Erotic Misadventure – One Act Festival)
Upcoming
Jane will be directing The New Canadian Curling Club (written by Mark Crawford) and Hidden Treasures (written by Norm Foster) for the upcoming 2025 season.