Board taps familiar pair to fill interim leadership positions
Alberta Theatre Projects has a new interim leadership team.
The board of directors has appointed Haysam Kadri as interim artistic director and Kyle Russell, who was formerly the general manager, as interim executive director while it launches a search for new permanent leadership. The change was necessary as Darcy Evans, the celebrated artistic and executive director of ATP, died of cancer in November.
Kadri is well-known in Calgary's theatre circle as the artistic director of The Shakespeare Company. But he also has a long history with ATP, as an actor, director and producer.
“Darcy left ATP in a great position both artistically and financially. Both Kyle and I will do everything to honour his vision for the company,” says Kadri, adding that both he and Russell “are very familiar with the other members of ATP'S administrative team and ATP'S role in the Calgary theatre scene.
“This is extremely important to ensure a seamless continuity and I'm certain this played a major role in our appointments to guide the company through these troubled COVID times and toward an eventual reopening.”
Kadri says he is committed to “honouring the programming Darcy had in place for ATP'S next season,” but explains he does not yet know the status of Daniel Macivor's new play, New Magic Valley Fun Town — a co-production with Toronto's Tarragon Theatre. He's also uncertain about the status of The Grand Theatre's avant-garde touring production of the musical Cabaret.
That leaves Teenage Dick, Mike Lew's highly praised reworking of Shakespeare's Richard III that is a co-production with The Shakespeare Company and Hit & Myth Productions, the family classic Peter Pan, the western Canadian premiere of Kat Sandler's new comedy Bang Bang, which Kadri was hired to direct, and the world premiere of Louise Casemore's solo show Undressed.
“There may need to be some juggling of time slots depending on when we can open and how many people we can host as well as a search for replacement plays,” says Kadri, who now shoulders those responsibilities during the transition.
Russell will be in charge of ATP'S financial and business operations.