Bell Shakespeare has appointed long-serving company artist and educator James Evans as its new Executive Director. He will step into the role on 7 July, following the departure of Gill Perkins.

Evans has been closely associated with the company for more than a decade, most recently as Associate Director. During his tenure, he has directed national tours (Much Ado About Nothing and Julius Caesar), developed education programs, and played a leading role in establishing the company’s Youth Justice initiative. His work in juvenile detention centres is the subject of the feature documentary Kings of Baxter.

James Evans. Photo supplied

He also founded Bell Shakespeare’s corporate training program, Leadership in Action, which delivers creative leadership development across Australia and Asia.

A graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (Acting), Evans also holds a Master of Arts (English) from the University of Sydney. He has appeared in several Bell Shakespeare productions including Hamlet, Richard 3, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and Henry IV. Evans is also the host of Bell Shakespeare’s Speak the Speech podcast.

Chairman Philip Crutchfield said Evans was appointed from a strong field of candidates. “James is a much...