The Clayton Bellamy Foundation for the Arts (CBFA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lauren Thomas as Theatre & Facility Manager for the Bonnyville Strathcona Performing Arts Centre.

Lauren brings nearly two decades of experience in theatre operations, arts leadership, event programming, fundraising and venue management. Most recently, she served as Entertainment & Events Coordinator with the City of Medicine Hat, where she was responsible for programming two major entertainment venues and building strong relationships with artists, presenters and arts organizations across Canada.

Her career includes roles with the Town of Canmore, where she advanced municipal event programming and large-scale community events, and earlier experience with Keyano Theatre & Arts Centre and Keyano College in Fort McMurray, Alberta, where she developed extensive expertise in theatre operations, artist relations, sponsorship development, volunteer coordination and fundraising-driven programming.

Lauren is also actively engaged in Canada’s performing arts sector, serving as a Board Member of Prairie Debut, Director-at-Large with the Alberta Arts Touring Alliance, and contributing as both a Showcase Adjudicator and as a participant on two international delegations for CAPACOA (Canadian Arts Presenting Association). These national connections will help strengthen touring relationships and expand programming opportunities for the Strathcona Performing Arts Centre.

She holds a Master of Arts in Arts Leadership and a Graduate Diploma in Arts Management from Queen’s University.

In her new role, Lauren will oversee day-to-day theatre operations, including programming, artist relations, ticketing, facility management, volunteer coordination, marketing support, grant development and fundraising initiatives.