Evan Klassen is an arts leader based in Kamloops, BC, and is privileged to live, work and play on the traditional territory of Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc. Evan has served as the managing director of Western Canada Theatre since 2018. Evan also serves as treasurer for the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT), and is privileged to serve on the boards of the BC Arts Council, Kamloops Centre for the Arts Society, and the BC Interior Community Foundation.
Originally hailing from Winnipeg, Evan has pursued a broad career in theatre, music and heritage, including as a stage manager for theatre and opera, as director of artistic operations and production with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and as board chair of the Seven Oaks House Museum. Evan has also prioritized strengthening the arts sector through work with arts service organizations, including as secretary-treasurer for Canadian Actors’ Equity Association, and on the boards of the Winnipeg Arts Council and Manitobans for the Arts, a provincial arts-advocacy organization.
Evan was recently honoured as Protégé to the 2019 Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award recipient, Camilla Holland. Evan is a graduate of MacEwan University’s Arts & Cultural Management program.
His current appointment as a member of Council was made on July 31, 2021 for a two year term.