Along with marking its 50th year and unveiling its new season, Western Canada Theatre has also named its new artistic director.
Kelli Fox will join the company as a co-leader alongside Executive Director Matt Eger.
Fox, who has 35 years of experience as an actor and director in Canada, has spent much of her career at the Shaw and Stratford festivals in Ontario. Other experience includes work with Soulpepper, the Globe Theatre, the Blythe Festival, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, and the Arts Club Theatre Company. She also served as artistic associate at the Globe Theatre in Regina.
“To put together a full living as a theatre artist in this country, you’ve got to be on the move all the time, unless you’re at one of those major festivals,” Fox told the Chronicle.
Currently living in the Lower Mainland, Fox plans on relocating to Kamloops this summer and wholeheartedly joining the community to experience all the city has to offer — and to settle down a little, too.
“I’m an old person now. That’s a bit of a joke, but I feel like I’m at a place in my own career and work where it’s not like it was when I was 20, looking for the bright lights, big city, and fast motion. I’m interested in committing to something larger than one show at a time,” she said.
Upon her arrival in Kamloops, Fox said she wants to immerse herself in the local arts scene.
“I want to be there when the symphony is playing. I want to be there when the art gallery has an opening. I want to learn who is creating things and how can we work with them to build things,” she said.
Fox, who is also the sister of actor Michael J. Fox, said she’s happy to be able to stay and work in her home province, and establish roots in a new community.
“It feels really attractive and exciting. I’m so looking forward to getting settled,” she said.
Although the 2025–2026 season is set, Fox has a few productions in her back pocket which she plans on pitching for future seasons, which she will be planning alongside Eger.
WCT board chair Christine Stewart called Fox “clearly one of the best and brightest light talents in the fabric of Canadian theatre,” and said she was picked from a long list of talent vying for the position.