Sheridan’s Michael Rubinoff Recognized Nationally for Leadership Excellence

The CMTP has also created meaningful, applied learning experience for students. Since its inception, 160 students have participated in the creation of new musicals through this incubator. Jillian Keiley, Artistic Director, National Arts Centre Ottawa notes, “the magic opportunity that Michael has created gives Canadian musical writers a chance to hear their pieces over a long period, allowing them to make changes and bring their works to new heights. Students get to see themselves serving the greater good of having been an essential part of the development of an artistic work that can now reach thousands of people and audiences.”

Perhaps one of Rubinoff’s most notable achievements through the CMTP has been with its first musical, Come From Away, about the residents of Gander, Newfoundland who welcomed thousands of people stranded on 9/11.  It was Rubinoff who provided writers Irene Sankoff and David Hein with the idea to musicalize the compelling story depicted in the show. In 2012 and 2013, Come From Away was presented at Sheridan, first as a 45-minute musical and then as a fully realized, two-act performance produced by Rubinoff. On March 12, 2017, Come From Away opened on Broadway to critical acclaim and huge box office sales, and is currently in the running for Tony Award nominations, to be announced on May 2.

The strong partnerships Rubinoff has built have enabled Sheridan and its students to participate in international exchanges, be it attending closed dress rehearsals or back-stage tours, working with renowned artists at Sheridan or performing on stages from Toronto’s Panasonic to New York City’s Lincoln Centre. One of the most recent international partnerships involving Rubinoff is with the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre, focused on the co-development of a new musical based on the life of Dr. Norman Bethune, the Canadian physician who left a lasting impression on the Chinese people through his voluntary medical service there in the late 1930s.

“Michael has made Sheridan’s name synonymous with leadership in musical theatre both in Canada, across the US and increasingly around the world,” says Dr. Mary Preece, President and Vice-Chancellor of Sheridan. “His tireless efforts and infectious passion have catapulted Sheridan’s profile, visibility and reputation for excellence in this field.”

CICan is a national organization representing 127 member institutions. The Awards of Excellence is an annual program recognizing outstanding administrative leadership, teaching, staff, programs and student leadership. Sheridan has won a total of 18 awards of excellence since 2000. 

Pictured above: Michael Rubinoff's Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Gold Medal Leadership Excellence Award.

Pictured at top of page: Sheridan Associate Dean and Producer of the Canadian Music Theatre Project, Michael Rubinoff, with students from the Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program.