Southern Theater Announces Executive Director Transition

To our friends in the Southern Theater's community of artists and art-lovers, we're writing you today with sad but exciting news. After over eight years leadership, we are bidding our Executive Director Damon Runnals a fond farewell. In November he'll begin a new position at Clockwork in Minneapolis.

One sheet isn't enough to cover all of the things Damon has done for the organization. When the going got rough for the Southern in 2011, Damon stepped up to help carry the torch. He helped guide the The Southern through an intense and turbulent transition, saving one of the Twin Cities most iconic historic spaces from closure. He held down the fort in subsequent years, working feverishly to plan the next steps -- and in those next steps ARTshare was born. The first successful subscription program in the Twin Cities, it connects new audiences with groups, providing a space for new performances. ARTshare is a manifestation of the Southern's mission in action: fostering a community of exceptional artists.

As many know, Damon's work in this community goes well beyond ARTshare and The Southern itself. He provided mentorship and support to the Momentum program, he worked with neighborhood partners to connect the Southern more intricately with the West Bank community, and he provided technical support and guidance to many, many emerging artists. So many individual artists and companies have been helped by his leadership and work - his commitment to the mission of The Southern not just in principle but in practice as well.

Since the launch of ARTshare, The Southern staff has been growing slowly but surely. The team helps oversee various aspects of production at the Southern, from social media to grant-writing. As we wish Damon well on his next big adventure, we'll be stepping up to help carry the mission forward. Only now we'll have multiple torches to help light the way! We hope members of the community join us on this next quest as we work as a team to move The Southern into its next phase.

Damon's last day at The Southern will be October 28, 2016. However, he's promised to not be a stranger -and we'll all be partying together at the annual event Arch Lights on Friday November 25. Come to wish him well, and we'll dance the night away together as we celebrate 2016 and ring in the 2017 season.

Sincerely - The Southern Team.

Suzanne Cross - community relations manager

Meg DiSciorio - bar manager

Jerod Greenisen - digital media specialist

Galen Higgins - graphic designer

Jenny Moeller - production director

Jamie Schumacher - development director

For more info about this release or The Southern Theater, please contact Suzanne Cross - Community Relations Manager suzanne@southerntheater.org