Western Canada Theatre hires new ‘visionary’ artistic director

KAMLOOPS – The Western Canada Theatre company in Kamloops has a new artistic director.

The company welcomed James MacDonald today, Aug. 5.

In the past, MacDonald filled roles as an artist, administrator and educator and the theatre company's board of directors hopes he will compliment their vision programming and character, according to a media release.

“Theatre is about community – who we are, where we’ve been, and where we are going. There are so many wonderful stories we can share together, and I am so excited to have the opportunity to live and work in this vibrant city," MacDonald says in the release.

MacDonald was born in Montreal and raised in Edmonton. He has spent 25 years working across Canada as a director, actor and educator. He was involved in the development of more than 30 new Canadian plays including the world premieres of Miss Shakespeare (Musical TheatreWorks), Vimy (Citadel Theatre), With a Twist (Lunchbox Theatre) and The Myth of Summer (Alberta Theatre Projects).

As a director and actor, MacDonald was awarded five Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards. These awards celebrate professional theatre in Edmonton and try to bring awareness to performing arts.

He was awarded a Dora Mavor Moore Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements in Toronto theatre. 

"James is a great fit for WCT. He’s a smart, visionary director, and a really great guy. I have no doubt that WCT audiences will love James and that he will lead the company into a very exciting next phase of growth,” departing artistic director Daryl Cloran said in the release.

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