Swift Current's Lyrics Theatre announced two new hires yesterday.

Aina Adashynski is the new general manager for the theatre, and Gordon McCall is the art director.

The Southwest Cultural Development Group's president, Denise Wall, said it's exciting to add some employees, as they've been relying heavily on volunteers for so long.

"It seems like we're always busy, but because we ran on volunteer efforts we just haven't had the time to really focus on the programming and advancing the programming, and maybe getting into the community in other ways," Wall said. "So that's our hope, that Gordon will, along with Aina, and she's already been with us for a few weeks here, and she's just super as a general manager, and her organizational skills and her knowledge on non-profit organizations far surpasses mine. She's been incredible in the office here in managing the theatre."

Adashynski was in sales at Golden West Broadcasting in Swift Current before joining the Lyric. Prior to Swift Current she was the executive coordinator for the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors in Victoria.

"I'm really fortunate to work with such a dedicated and passionate team of volunteers and staff, and I'm excited about the possibilities that Gordon and I, along with this great team, will be able to create at the Lyric Theatre." Adashynski said in a release.

Wall said McCall has experience working in half a dozen other theatres across Canada, and is based in Detroit, Mich. at the moment where he's directing projects, including a theatre in Buffalo, N.Y.

"Together, with the board, volunteers and staff of the theatre we will dare to dream, to celebrate our artistic past and present, and side-by-side with the community and with their support, take bold steps into the future," said Wall in a release.

There are the two full-time employees now at the Lyric, as well as a pool of around 200-300 volunteers they draw from for events.

"We're excited about moving forward and doing some new things," Wall said. "We always love to thank our volunteers, because even though we do have a set of employees, this organization cannot run without the help of volunteers - so we're always very thankful about that."