The OLT is heartbroken to announce the death of its President and longtime actor/director Geoff Gruson on Dec. 19. Only three days earlier, Geoff had completed a run in the title role of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley.

Geoff acted in 51 plays since 1981 and directed 24 others. In addition, he was assistant to the director, fight director, set designer, member of the Operations Committee, Chair of the Artistic Committee, and member of the Play Selection Committee He was member of the Board of Directors for over 20 years, and President since 2017.
Always putting the audience first, Geoff’s priority was to present performances of the highest possible quality. He brought a wealth of experience from the professional world – both in management as well as in professional film, TV and stage, and Presidency of ACTRA – into the community theatre world of OLT. He strengthened partnerships with other community theatres in particular: Orpheus Musical Theatre Society, Linden House, Tara Players and Kanata Theatre. His interest in theatre was wide-ranging but his heart was always with OLT.

Geoff was an OLT leading man in many plays, but also played supporting roles and stepped in at the last minute in emergencies. When he directed, his actors learned an enormous amount from his tireless insistence on achieving the best possible performances. He also mentored up-and-coming directors.

His awards include the Capital Critics Circle Award for Best Community Theatre Production for Epic Proportions (2002) and Other Desert Cities (2017), EODL Best Director for Deliver’d from Nowhere (2009), and Theatre Ontario Best Production Award for Dead Accounts (2018). Geoff received the Audrey Ashley Award from the Capital Critics Circle in the 2006-07 season for outstanding contribution to theatre in Ottawa. He was inducted into the OLT Cornerstone in 2014.

As a member of the Board of Directors, Geoff helped initiate and guide the strategic vision that transformed the OLT in 2008-09. After becoming President in 2017, he led the OLT back to being the volunteer-run community theatre it is today and then guided us through the pandemic to the 100% sold-out houses of A Christmas Carol.

Geoff’s impact on and love for the theatre will be remembered for years to come. Geoff leaves behind his leading lady on stage and in life, Venetia Lawless, also a longtime actor, director, and tireless OLT worker.

There will be an opportunity for patrons, volunteers, and community members to gather and grieve together at the celebration of life which will be held at the Ottawa Little Theatre on Saturday, January 13th at 2pm with a reception in the theatre lobby to follow. Whether you knew him personally or from afar from his work on stage, all are welcome.

Geoff is pictured here in Wrong Turn at Lungfish (2009), A Christmas Carol (2023), Old Love (2017), Calendar Girls (2016), Sabrina Fair (2015), The Odd Couple (2001), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1999), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1997), A Few Good Men (1992), The Voysey Inheritance (1990), The Sunshine Boys (1988), I’ll Be Back Before Midnight (1987), Talley’s Folly (1984), Happy Birthday (1983) and Rain (1981).

Photos of all his productions can be found on the OLT Production database: https://www.ottawalittletheatre.com/ProductionHistory/VolunteerProduction.php?persid=3