NEWS FROM THE GRAND
SEPT 21 2026
Image: Louis Studios
The GRAND Announces Departure of Executive Director Erynn Lyster
After five years as Executive Director of The GRAND, Erynn Lyster is moving on to her next chapter. Since joining The GRAND in 2021, Erynn led the organization through a period of significant change and renewal before stepping away from day-to-day operations earlier this year.
During her tenure, The GRAND built new community and artistic partnerships, welcomed new artists and audiences, and worked to create a more inclusive environment. Her leadership also helped The GRAND find new ways to celebrate the theatre’s rich history while ensuring it remained a vibrant and relevant part of Calgary’s cultural community.
“I am incredibly proud of what our team accomplished together and deeply grateful to the artists, audiences, partners, supporters and community members who believed in what we were building,” says Lyster. “Most of all, I am grateful to the extraordinary staff I had the privilege of working alongside. There are so many moments I will carry with me, including our commemoration of Charles Daniels and the opportunity to take a meaningful step toward acknowledging a wrong that had gone unrecognized for more than a century. Leading The GRAND has been a rare privilege, and I will always be proud to have played a part in the long history of this remarkable theatre.”
The GRAND extends its sincere thanks to Erynn for her leadership, commitment and contributions over the past five years and wishes her every success in what comes next.
The GRAND Hires Calgary Playwright & Producer
Neil Fleming as Executive Director
The Grand Board is pleased to announce that Neil Fleming has stepped down from his position of Chair to accept the role of Executive Director. Once nicknamed “The Swiss Army Knife" of theatre, Neil is probably best known locally as a playwright, having penned and produced many plays at Lunchbox Theatre. He is currently working on a play about the history of Indigenous-Crown relations in Canada. But his early background was as a stage technician and scenic designer and over the years he has designed lighting, sets and props for many Calgary organizations.
He recently won a Betty Mitchell Award for his projection design on the Chromatic Theatre - Thumbs Up Good Work Theatre production of Caleigh Crow’s Hucksterland. Neil spent four years working in the Grand as Executive Director of Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society, working closely with the Grand staff and crew since 2018. Not only is Neil familiar with the facility and its spaces, he has utilized them all as a producer, scenic designer, production manager and arts administrator. He believes that the Grand is essential, not only to Calgary’s arts ecosystem, but to Calgary’s diverse cultural ecosystem. Working with the Charles Daniels Committee over the last few years has been an honour and a privilege for him. Neil hopes to ensure all Calgarians become aware of both this historical civil rights case, and the rich history of Calgary and Alberta’s Black community.
Calgary is now one of Canada’s most diverse cities, which Neil believes should be reflected in the Grand’s own programming - both to right this historical wrong, and show that the Grand is a hub for arts and artists of all the communities that make up our city. He looks forward to inviting local artists from all of Calgary’s diverse communities to share their stories and culture at the Grand.
‘‘I’ve felt like a part of the GRAND team for a long time now, because that's what working alongside the crew, front of house and admin teams here is like - they welcome you into the family no matter how quick your tour is or how long your residency may be. I'm thrilled to be leading an organization that champions creativity, community and a commitment to cultural recognition and I thank Erynn for passing on a torch that is bright and alive with potential’’ - Neil Fleming