As Western Canada Theatre (WCT) prepares to celebrate its milestone 50th anniversary, a fresh creative energy is taking centre stage with the arrival of its new Artistic Director, Kelli Fox. A respected veteran of Canadian theatre—both on stage and behind the scenes—Fox steps into the role with enthusiasm, bold vision, and a heartfelt connection to the province she calls home.
“I’m a theatre actor and director. I grew up in the Lower Mainland, studied at Studio 58 in Vancouver, and then headed east to pursue my dream of joining the Shaw Festival.”
It was during her time in Ontario, working with some of the country’s most prominent directors under Shaw’s Artistic Director Christopher Newton, that her passion for directing began to take shape. By 2011, she had made the leap, building a career that balanced performance with direction across Canada. Now, after years of cross-country moves, she’s landed in Kamloops—with purpose.
“This position gave me a way to finally come home and stay home,” she explains. “And more than that, to be part of building something that’s longer lasting than the run of one show.”
Fox believes Kamloops is uniquely positioned to help bridge Canada’s regional theatre divide. “There’s this psychological barrier created by the Rockies,” she says. “B.C. often feels left out of the national conversation. But Kamloops is perfectly situated to connect east and west. I want to bring artists in from Alberta, further east, and also bring voices up from the Lower Mainland—to really get B.C. engaged nationally.”
That spirit of connectivity and renewal arrives at a fitting time. As WCT celebrates 50 years of serving the Kamloops community, its 2025/26 season is set to be one of the most vibrant and meaningful in its history.
A Season of Stories That Reflect, Celebrate, and Challenge
The 50th anniversary season, programmed by Managing Director Matt Eger and Artistic Associate Cheyenne Scott, brings a powerful lineup of plays that blend history, humour, resilience, and identity.
Opening the season is Women of the Fur Trade (Oct. 9–19, 2025), a wildly imaginative and time-bending comedy that reclaims historical narratives through the lens of Indigenous women’s perspectives. It sets the tone for a season that’s both reflective and forward-looking.
Next, a beloved Canadian classic returns: Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™ (Nov. 20–Dec. 7, 2025). After a 50-year hiatus from WCT’s stage, the timeless tale of Anne Shirley’s adventures is set to charm a whole new generation.
In the new year, WCT presents the deeply moving Casey and Diana (Jan. 22–Feb. 1, 2026), a poignant story of courage and human connection during the AIDS crisis. It’s followed by The Fiancée (Feb. 19–Mar. 1, 2026), a fast-paced farce exploring the chaos that erupts when one woman can’t say no to a marriage proposal.
The Pavilion Theatre series offers more intimate, thought-provoking fare. Benevolence (Mar. 19–29, 2026) dives into a story of intergenerational belonging and identity, while Wolf Cull (Apr. 30–May 10, 2026) delivers a suspenseful Indigenous thriller that promises to be as transformative as it is electrifying.
Fittingly, The Golden Anniversaries (Apr. 2–12, 2026) reflects directly on the theme of lasting partnership—offering a moving theatrical tribute to 50 years of marriage, memories, and milestones.
And of course, the celebration wouldn’t be complete without a party. Breaking Ground, a 1970s-themed fundraising gala (Apr. 24, 2026), invites the community to don their bell bottoms and join the WCT team at Sagebrush Theatre for an evening of fun, nostalgia, and support for the theatre’s bright future.
Looking Ahead with Joy and Purpose
Fox is eager not only to launch into this exceptional season but also to deepen WCT’s roots in the Kamloops community. “I’m looking forward to all of it—the shows, the gala, the collaborations. I can’t wait to be part of International Women’s Day celebrations. I think the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the people of Kamloops, to make WCT even more central to the life of this city—that’s what excites me most.”
As WCT turns 50, it’s clear that it isn’t just marking time—it’s building momentum. With Kelli Fox at the helm and a powerful season ahead, Western Canada Theatre is poised not only to celebrate its past but to boldly step into its future.
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