Bay Street Players Names Meadows Interim Exec Director

Jim Meadows is accustomed to treading the boards with the Bay Street Players.  He has appeared onstage in productions ranging from the raucous "Full Monty" to the classic "Oklahoma."  This year, he adds Board President to the list of roles he's tackled for the theatre. "I appreciate the trust the board has placed in me," says Meadows.  "It's my job, as president, to continue the excellence we've achieved over the past 35 seasons." Off-stage, Meadows is Senior Consulting Manager, Global Consulting Services at Convergys.
 
The theatre welcomed new board members Charlotte Jardine, Debra Sussman, Tim Totten, Nina Vatter and Thomas Young, who was also elected Vice President.  The board also re-elected Kelly Bayne as Treasurer, Cindy Satur as Assistant Treasurer and Beth Breese as Secretary.  Incoming board members joined sitting members Marilyn Budzynski, Mary Hays, and Dr. Lynn Herrick. Members serve three-year terms on the board, with those elected to office holding the position for at least one year.
 
The first business the new board addressed was the position of Executive Director, recently vacated by Michael Morman. "We had a great executive director in Michael," shares Meadows.  "But when he informed us that he would have to step down for personal reasons, we knew we needed a steady hand to lead us while we search for a replacement."
 
After careful consideration, the board appointed Bonnie Swanson, who has been a board member since 2008, to serve as Interim Executive Director. Swanson has also been serving as volunteer costume designer for Bay Street Players, most recently designing costumes for the 43-member cast of "Ragtime, The Musical."
 
"It's an exciting opportunity," says Ms. Swanson, whose theatre experience spans 40 years and includes theatre administration at the Mt. Dora Theatre Company.  "I love this organization.  It is very rewarding to work with talented designers, directors, actors and volunteers in this capacity."
 
While the board searches for a permanent Executive Director, Swanson will oversee the daily operations of the theatre, including ticket sales, promotions, front office operations and more.  She will also work closely with David Clevinger, the theatre's Artistic Director who is responsible for the first-rate productions and detailed sets that have made the theatre famous in Central Florida.
 
"Transitions can be challenging in any organization," says Meadows.  "So the board is glad we found someone within our family to fill the 'role' while we interview candidates for the Executive Director position.  We're looking forward to a great season."
 
 Bay Street Players is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit community theatre celebrating 35 seasons of live theatre in the historic 1922 State Theatre in downtown Eustis.

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