Simon Marsden, a Stratford resident, is passionate about the growth of the arts community and  entertainment industry in the area.

He is co-founder of Cribbin & Marsden Consulting, a performing arts management consultancy based in Minneapolis and Stratford.   As part of the faculty of Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, UAE,  he serves as their Programme Leader Production Arts.   Simon is also part of the Board of Advisors for the Southwestern Ontario Film Alliance.

His production management career focused on theatre, music and outdoor events in the U.K., USA, China, UAE and Canada.   At the Royal Shakespeare Company he was a key  to the re-opening of the renovated Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the  staging of the World Shakespeare Festival along with their numerous productions, national and international tours.   This included the filming of many productions for broadcast including David Tennant’s Richard II.  In Macau, China he organized the initial production needs for Dragones’ unique aquatic-circus production of House of Dancing Water.   Across Canada he has worked for numerous theatre companies including Canadian Stage Company and the Stratford Festival.  He was fundamental to the success of many seasons,  production support of StratFest@home their digital channel and the restarting the Festival after 2020.