By Keith Tomasek, July 24, 2024

Lyndee Hansen, a leader with a quarter century of experience in the arts sector, having worked as a general manager, producer, and arts administrator, is the Grand Theatre’s new executive director.

The Board of Directors of the London Ontario theatre announced the news this morning.

The first professional theatre production that Hansen saw was “Godspell” at the Grand Theatre, in the box seats, when she was six years old. “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. I am motivated and ecstatic to build upon the many successes of this remarkable organization.”

Addressing the news, Rachel Peake, the Grand’s artistic director, said “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.”

For the last nine years, Hansen has been the production manager and producer of the Grand Theatre. Prior to this tenure, she worked in three provinces and held senior leadership roles at Crow’s Theatre, Alberta Theatre Projects, and Geordie Theatre.

Hansen holds a degree in Theatre Production from Toronto Metropolitan University and is a recipient of the Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award and the Victor C. Polley Award. 

Hansen assumes the Grand’s executive leadership as of Monday, July 29, 2024.   

Speaking about Hansen’s impact on the Grand Theatre, George Kerhoulas, president of the Grand Theatre board of directors, said “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.”