Redhouse Announces New Leadership Team

By: Oct. 25, 2016
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Red House Arts Center Board of Directors and Search Committee is pleased to announce its new Leadership Team. Following an extensive search which included dozens of applicants from 17 states and 4 countries, Redhouse is thrilled to welcome this impressive organizational team.

Samara Hannah takes the position of Executive Director, Joseph C. Walsh is the new Artistic Director, and Marguerite Mitchell is the Director of Education. The new team will be responsible for guiding Red House as it grows into a national model of success as well as a destination for the performing arts and arts education. Samara Hannah who joined the Redhouse in September 2014 as Managing Director has been promoted to Executive Director. She possesses professional experience in management, fundraising, marketing, strategic planning, and customer service in private industry, government, higher- education, non-profits and the arts. She holds a bachelors degree in Mathematics from SUNY Plattsburgh and a Masters in Management with a concentration in Human Computer Interaction from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In her new role she will be responsible for creating and implementing the organizations Strategic Plan in accordance with the Redhouse Mission, overseeing all Redhouse Operations including Management, Finance/Human Resources, Marketing and Development, and functioning as the primary liaison in the Redhouse @ City Center project which includes oversight of fundraising campaign, financing, construction management and more.

Bill Hider, Redhouse Board President, commented, "We are very fortunate to have Samara Hannah as our new Executive Director. She has served as our Managing Director for the past two years. During her tenure at Redhouse, Samara has doubled our donor base, raised more than $5M in our capital campaign for the new space, increased the number of grants by 300%, managed staff as well as the face of the organization seamlessly through growth and transition, built the strongest board of directors to date, and has demonstrated exceptional leadership and organizational skills. Those accomplishments and skills, in addition to her extensive development experience, will help us take the Redhouse to a new level."

Award-winning Theatre Director and Educator Joseph C. Walsh has been named the new Artistic Director of the Red House Arts Center. He most recently served as the Assistant Head of Musical Theatre for The Urdang Academy in London where he taught Acting through Song, Scene Study, Musical Theatre History, and directed productions of Parade, Godspell and Jane Eyre. Joseph directed the Irish Premieres of Carrie: The Musical, The Last Five Years and Songs for A New World as well as critically acclaimed productions of Hairspray and Singin' in the Rain for the Cork Opera House. Other credits include The Glass Menagerie and Award-Winning productions of The Laramie Project, The Temperamentals and Michel Marc Bouchard's now classic, Lilies. Joseph's critically lauded London Revival of Love Story: the Musical, was nominated for an Off-West End Award for Best Musical. He has been the Artistic Director of the Award Winning Wild Oats Productions since its inception in 2005, holds a BFA in Theatre Production/Stage Management from Emerson College and a Masters in Directing from Goldsmith's College, University of London.

Working in conjunction with the Executive Director and the Board, Joseph will develop, implement, and evaluate artistic programs and maintain artistic and production budgets. He will also work closely with the Director of Education to develop and expand Redhouse educational programs and community outreach efforts.

"Joseph's diverse experience in all genres of theatre, makes him the perfect fit for Redhouse's unique brand of programming. We are confident that he will bring his strong credentials and inventive mindset to the job. Joseph's work ranges from world premiere's of new works to large scale revivals of classic works to avant grade work seen in tiny pub theaters in London. Perhaps the most exciting thing Joseph will bring to us is his international experience and connection to theatre artists from all over the world." says Laura Austin (Founding Artistic Director)

Marguerite Mitchell, who previously held the position of Curriculum and Learning Coordinator at Redhouse, has been promoted to the position of Director of Education. She brings with her several years of experience in arts education and has been instrumental in the growth of the Redhouse current education programming as well as the partnership with the Syracuse City School district. Prior to her position at Redhouse, Marguerite taught English Language Arts, ESOL, Mural Arts, and Drama in neighboring Syracuse schools and Philadelphia city schools. In 2011, she received the NYSRA Secondary Teacher of the Year Award and was nominated for the ACSD's Outstanding Young Educator Award in 2012. She earned her Bachelors Degree from Temple University, double majoring in English Literature and English Education. She also studied British Literature at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England and Arts Administration at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. As Director of Education she is responsible for leading Redhouse in the growth of its comprehensive arts educational programs, the delivery of a full scope of classes, community initiatives, school programs, residencies and summer camps . "Marguerite Mitchell's dedication to the arts community and diversity education coupled with her longstanding commitment to the Redhouse's educational programs made her the best choice for the position. Under her leadership the program has flourished. Marguerite seeks to ensure that our staff receives the highest quality of professional development and works to build and sustain quality relationships with community partners" stated Redhouse Board search committee member, Melanie Nappa-Carroll.

This new leadership team will be instrumental in overseeing the transition to Redhouse @ City Center as well as the growth of the organization. Construction is underway on the infrastructure and interior of the building. Redhouse has reached 90% of its fundraising goal and is looking to the public for support of the final 10% to reach its goal of $10,000,000.

About Red House Arts Center: Red House Arts Center is a nonprofit, multi-arts organization dedicated to the production and presentation of interdisciplinary works, new theatre, music, visual art, and is a regional provider of community based arts education. Red House supports the creative process by providing a unique platform for regional, national and international artistic expressions. Through our public programs and community engagement initiatives, Red House aims to stimulate cultural activities and contribute to community development throughout Central New York. For more information visit www.theredhouse.org.



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