Actor's Express Names Next Managing Director

The Board of Directors of Actor's Express is pleased to announce that Lara Smith will join the theatre as Managing Director. Lara replaces current Managing Director Scott Clodfelter, who is moving to Chicago. She will leave her current position of Development Director at Atlanta's highly respected Dad's Garage Theatre Company to begin her new role at Actor's Express on August 1.

A national search drew over seventy applicants for the position from across the U.S. in a rigorous, two-month selection process. "We were extraordinarily pleased with both the level of interest from top theatre professionals from across the country and the quality of these applicants. It is clear Actor's Express enjoys a strong reputation in the National Theatre community. In the end, we were particularly excited that the one person who consistently impressed us most was a local candidate, said Board Member Deborah Marshall, chair of the search committee.

"Quite frankly, we were all simply bowled over by Lara," said Board Chair Bruce Cohen. "She brings to Actor's Express intelligence, thoughtfulness, organization, vision, energy and poise. We believe that Lara combines these and so many other traits that are rare to find in one person. Together Lara and Freddie will take Actor's Express to powerful new places."

"I couldn't be happier that Lara will be our new Managing Director," said Artistic Director Freddie Ashley. "She is a true rising star, and we are lucky she is joining us. We are going to be an amazing team, and I look forward to shaping Actor's Express' future with her."

Lara joined the staff of Dad's Garage in 2007 where she led development activities and was a catalyst for significant contributed income growth through individual giving, corporate sponsorships, grants and special events. A graduate of the Webster University Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatrical Stage Management. She worked in stage management for Hope Summer Repertory Theatre and the St. Louis Repertory. She has also worked at the administrative offices of both organizations, as well as the Muny in St. Louis and the Alliance in Atlanta.

Lara served on the Strategic Planning Committee and as Vice Chair of the Artistic Director Search Committee at Dad's Garage. She was selected for the 2009 class of the Arts Leaders of Metro Atlanta and has served on granting panels for Fulton County Arts Council and Georgia Council for the Arts. She is a proud Big Sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters Atlanta.

"The productions at Actor's Express epitomize what theatre is meant to be - they break down boundaries, help us change our world view, excite our emotions, and leave our heads spinning as we connect with those around us that just experienced the same thing," said Lara.

She succeeds Scott Clodfelter who served as Managing Director for two years. During his tenure, Actor's Express experienced sustained audience growth and substantial increases in earned and contributed income. He is credited with transforming the organization administratively, streamlining operations and growing the operating budget by 25%.

"Although we know Scott will stay involved with Actor's Express, we are extremely sad that he is moving to Chicago. Scott has worked tirelessly over the past two years to restructure and revitalize the business side of this theatre," Cohen said. Scott, who was a board member before assuming the role of Managing Director, will continue to support the theatre through the transition in leadership.

About Actor's Express

Since 1988 Actor's Express has offered original voices and new perspectives that reflect Atlanta's diverse and evolving community. Recognized as one of the most remarkable and daring theatre companies in the Southeast, Actors Express has been cited as "the city's most vital theatrical venue" (Creative Loafing) and continues to fill an important niche in Atlanta's rich arts community as a place for high quality theatre and theatre education.

In 2009 the Atlanta Journal-Constitution cited three AE productions in its list of the 10 top plays of the year, more than any other theatre. When Creative Loafing announced its pick for the top productions of 2009, Actor's Express was recognized twice and was the only theatre to be honored for more than one play.

Under the artistic direction of Freddie Ashley, the theatre strives to nurture the next generation of playwrights through workshops, readings, and full productions of new plays; to enhance Atlanta's artistic community through theatre training; to catalyze dialogue essential to the vitality of our city and to enhance Atlanta's reputation nationally as a thriving center for live performance.

Major funding for Actor's Express is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council. This program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly. GCA is a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Actor's Express programming is also supported in part by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs.

To post a comment, you must register and login.