Gass was fired as artistic director in 2012 amid controversy. Several playwrights, including Walker and Judith Thompson, pulled their work from the theatre in protest, and figures including Atom Egoyan, Gordon Pinsent, Fiona Reid and R. H. Thomson called for a boycott of the company. Since then theatre professionals and community partners have publicity supported Factory Theatre and its existing pursuit of New Canadian voices. Nina Lee Aquino and Nigel Shawn Williams were named the new artistic directors in late 2012.