Remembering Kathi Kerbes: A Message from Haysam Kadri

It is with a heavy heart that I share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Kathi Kerbes.

Kathi rejoined Alberta Theatre Projects in the summer of 2023, working closely with us in the development department until November 2024. In that short time, she made an enormous impact on our organization and on me personally. Her presence was steady, gracious, and full of wisdom. She had a way of making everyone feel seen and valued, and her belief in the work we do was both inspiring and deeply grounding.

What many of you also know is that Kathi was an exceptional artist. She was a gifted actor, a thoughtful and visionary artistic director, and a devoted practitioner of theatre in all its forms. Her work on and off the stage shaped the cultural life of this city and this country in profound ways. Her artistry, discipline, and passion set a standard for so many of us to follow.

Kathi was more than a colleague. She was a champion of the arts, a fierce believer in community, and a lifelong supporter of theatre in Calgary. She gave so much of herself to this company and to the city’s artistic fabric, and I know many of you had the pleasure of working with her, laughing with her, and witnessing her extraordinary heart in action.

Losing her is a profound loss for all of us. I will miss her guidance, her humour, her warmth, and the deep care she showed in every interaction. She helped me navigate some of the most challenging moments of my tenure here, and she did so with quiet strength and generosity.

In the coming weeks, we will be finding ways to honour Kathi’s memory and celebrate her remarkable life. I hope you will join us in remembering someone who gave so much to Alberta Theatre Projects and to all of us who were lucky enough to know her.

With heartfelt thanks and remembrance,
Haysam Kadri