Following an extensive search, the Board of Directors of London’s Grand Theatre is pleased to announce that Lyndee Hansen has been appointed as the Theatre’s next Executive Director. Hansen, who served as Production Manager and then Producer at the Grand Theatre over the last nine years, is an award-winning arts leader and has been recognized nationally for outstanding administrative and managerial leadership within the Canadian professional theatre community. Hansen assumes the Grand’s executive leadership as of Monday, July 29, 2024.

“After a thorough search of qualified arts leaders from across the nation, conducted by Martin Bragg & Associates, the search committee was thrilled to recommend Lyndee Hansen as the Grand’s next Executive Director,” says George Kerhoulas, President of the Grand Theatre Board of Directors. “In addition to having expertly served the Grand Theatre for nine seasons, Lyndee is, by far, the best person to take on this role. She is a remarkable leader in Canadian theatre, has nurtured innumerable industry relationships—regionally, and from coast-to-coast—and is one of the reasons that London’s Grand Theatre has remained a theatre of national significance for so many years. Lyndee’s existing bond to this company will ensure organizational stability and the promise of continuity for years to come.”

Working in partnership with Artistic Director, Rachel Peake, Hansen will drive the administration, audience engagement, strategic business planning, and fundraising pillars of the Grand Theatre. She will provide strategic vision, financial oversight, and support to the Grand Theatre’s senior leadership teams in maintaining and expanding upon an open and welcoming culture that reaches everyone in contact with the company. Hansen will report directly to the Board of Directors and support the work of all Board committees, as well as the Grand Theatre Foundation, and the Friends of the Grand.

“Before I became Artistic Director of the Grand Theatre, I had the pleasure of collaborating with Lyndee Hansen on a co-production," says Rachel Peake, Artistic Director. “Lyndee’s strengths as an arts leader are part of what initially drew me to the Grand Theatre and working with her is one of the many reasons that I’m so happy to serve this institution today. Lyndee is sought out by colleagues nation-wide for advice, perspective, and wisdom. She exemplifies an attitude of immense productivity, detailed output, and extreme care toward established and emerging talents within our sector. I look to our partnership, as co-leaders of this Theatre, fueled by excitement, and inspired by the possibilities that her track record presents.”

Lyndee Hansen is an arts leader and mentor who has worked as a general manager, producer and arts administrator for the last 25 years. For the last nine years, she has worked first as the Production Manager and subsequently Producer of the Grand Theatre in London, Ontario. Prior to this tenure, she worked in three different provinces and held senior leadership roles at Crow’s Theatre, Alberta Theatre Projects, and Geordie Theatre. Lyndee holds a degree in Theatre Production from Toronto Metropolitan University and is a recipient of the Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award, and Victor C. Polley Award.

“The very first professional theatre production that I ever saw was Godspell at the Grand Theatre, in the box seats, at six years old, and it was that moment that set the course for what has been a beautiful life as a theatre lover,” says Hansen. “I am so honoured and thrilled to move forward in my leadership journey with an organization and team that means so much to me, continuing the incredible work of my friend Evan (Klassen), and in close partnership with my co-leader, Rachel (Peake). I am motivated and ecstatic to build upon the many successes of this remarkable organization.”

Hansen’s tenure begins on July 29, 2024, as she assumes responsibilities from outgoing Executive Director, Evan Klassen, who is returning to his hometown of Winnipeg to take on the same role at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. “Lyndee is a hero of Canadian theatre, and well-deserving of this new chapter in her illustrious career,” says Klassen. “I am thrilled to be passing the baton to someone whose kindness, level-headedness, and rigour, have contributed so greatly to my own tenure at the Grand. I wish Lyndee the absolute best as she takes her first steps as the next steward of the Grand Theatre.”

Photo: Lyndee Hansen. © 2024 Dahlia Katz.