Anthony James (Submitted photo)

By Pete McIntyre

growing demand

Rotary Centre for the Arts adds artistic director

Oct 26, 2022 | 3:15 PM

The Rotary Center for the Arts (RCA) has announced the appointment of Anthony (Tony) James as its artistic director.

The centre said, with over 35 years of experience, James is an award-winning executive producer, artistic director, writer, and presenter, who has been appointed to guide the RCA’s artistic vision toward continued and sustained success.

Colleen Fitzpatrick, executive director, said their newly re-imagined position of artistic director has been created due to the growing demand for high-quality performances in Kelowna.

“Anthony brings extensive experience and vision for RCA’s accelerated growth with a combination of his broad international background coupled with a proven track record of engagement on local, national, and international stages. The RCA is thrilled to add Tony’s expertise to the Mary Irwin Theatre stage providing the community with top-tier talent and artistic support,” Fitzpatrick said.

James said his goal is to enhance and expand the RCA’s artistic scope, audience base, and programming in its 20th anniversary season.

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“I will focus and commit to developing a vision that encompasses both the continued presentation of global artists and events as well as the introduction of RCA’s ‘self-produced’ productions,” James remarked. “As a result of this new programming directive, the RCA will be able to engage both emerging and established performing artists directly in a variety of high-quality theatrical productions in which each will be able to gain the necessary skills, knowledge, tools, and guidance for their career development.”