Dallas Theater Center Managing Director to Retire in 2015

Dallas Theater Center today announced that Managing Director Heather Kitchen will retire in 2015 after a distinguished 40-year career in professional theater. She has agreed to remain in her position until a successor is appointed.

"The upcoming celebration of 40 years working in professional theater feels like the right time to step away from day-to-day management of DTC," Kitchen said. "It's been an honor and privilege to work with more than a dozen theaters in the U.S. and Canada and especially to hold various leadership positions. Dallas Theater Center will forever hold a very dear spot in my heart. Working at DTC alongside Kevin Moriarty and striving together to create a nationally recognized institution is a great joy. Dallas and the entire Metroplex are a wonderful place to live and work. I look forward to my last season at the helm and watching the continued growth of both DTC and our city arts scene."

Kitchen, 62, joined DTC in early 2011 after 14 seasons as executive director of San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater and four seasons as manager of The Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta. She previously was production manager of Theatre New Brunswick and production stage manager at Canada's Stratford Festival.

During her four seasons with DTC, she has guided the organization through a period of unprecedented growth as its subscription and ticket income increased by more than 40 percent and the annual fund doubled from $1.8 million in 2010 to $3.9 million in the recently completed fiscal year. She was also instrumental in the completion of DTC's $13.2 million Advancement Campaign, which last year surpassed its fundraising goal by more than $1 million.

"Heather's achievements here are many and varied," said Rebecca Fletcher, chair of DTC's Board of Trustees. "She's an astute businesswoman who has brought a wealth of talent and experience to our Theater, instituting strong financial systems, improving our marketing and customer service, and building excellent relationships with donors, trustees and community leaders. We are grateful that she has given us ample time to search for a strong successor to fill her post. Moreover, we are pleased that she has agreed to serve as an adviser to DTC for a period of time following her retirement in order to help with the transition."

Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty added, "I have been fortunate to work side by side with Heather for the past four seasons. Her decision to retire leaves me with mixed feelings; I am happy for her, but sad that our partnership to expand DTC's commitment to artistic excellence, educational outreach and community engagement will come to an end next year. Heather is a consummate professional who understands both the art and business of theater, and I have learned a great deal from her. I look forward to our continued collaboration this season."

As managing director, Kitchen is responsible for DTC's operating, revenue, development, production and administrative functions. Dallas Theater Center has engaged Albert Hall & Associates to conduct a nationwide search for a new managing director and expects to have the person in place sometime during the first half of next year.

 

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