Western Canada Theatre is bidding farewell to longtime executive director Lori Marchand, who has been appointed at the first managing director of the new Indigenous Theatre of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

The board of directors said in a media release that Marchand’s passion, ability and collaborative skills have been instrumental to Western Canada Theatre’s success for 18 years.

Photo credit: WCTLori Marchand

“Lori’s contribution to the success of Western Canada Theatre has been immeasurable,” said WCT artistic director James MacDonald.

“She has been a brilliant leader for our company and in our community and has been instrumental in developing Western Canada Theatre’s reputation as a home for Indigenous artists and their work.

“As much as we will miss her, we know that she is the perfect person to assume a leadership role with the NAC, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with her in the development and production of Indigenous theatre in the years to come.”

Marchand returned to her hometown of Kamloops in 1999 when WCT artistic director David Ross invited her to assume the role of administrative director.

Over the years, she has worked with four artistic directors and led WCT to “significant and successful” growth, according to the NAC.

Marchand will take up her new position in April in Ottawa, where she will work collaboratively with the NAC’s newly appointed artistic director of Indigenous theatre, Kevin Loring.

Together, NAC said they will build the new Indigenous Theatre, which will open during the 2019-2020 season to mark the NAC’s 50th anniversary.