Executive Director of Gamut Theatre Group Named VP of Shakespeare Theatre Association

Melissa Nicholson, Executive Director of Gamut Theatre Group, was unanimously elected Vice President of the Shakespeare Theatre Association (STA), an international organization for theatres dedicated to the works of William Shakespeare. The nomination and election happened at the 25th annual conference held recently in San Francisco. Melissa will serve as Vice President to President Lisa Tromovitch of the Livermore Shakespeare Festival, California, and after a two year term will become President of STA.

Melissa is the co-founder of Gamut Theatre Group in Harrisburg, PA. She and her husband, Artistic Director Clark Nicholson, began the company in 1993 with the Popcorn Hat Players Children's Theatre. In 1994 they built on their Popcorn Hat success by forming the Harrisburg Shakespeare Company which continues today with the annual Free Shakespeare in the Park event at Reservoir Park.

The Shakespeare Theatre Association is comprised of over 100 theaters from around the world. The election of Gamut's Executive Director to the position of Vice President of STA speaks to the Nicholsons' dedication to help to promote Central Pennsylvania as an international force in dramatic presentation, and as a theater destination. Clark said, "This is a great honor for our theatre, as well as all of our region! Melissa has worked for many years to oversee the implementation and growth of programs at the Gamut Theatre, as well as fruitful partnerships and artist initiatives covering the Central Pennsylvania area."

The Nicholsons have been attending STA's annual conferences for over 18 years, and Melissa has previously served as Executive Secretary. "I am completely thrilled and honored to have been elected Vice-President of the Shakespeare Theatre Association," said Melissa. "STA has been instrumental in the growth and success of Harrisburg Shakespeare Company/Gamut Theatre, and I am looking forward to giving back to the organization that has helped us so much."

Since Melissa and Clark started their company, Gamut Theatre Group has grown to serve around 30,000 people each year through its programming. Gamut not only performs mainstage theatre productions for adults and children, it offers workshops from classrooms to corporate offices, teaches theatre school classes throughout the community, and tours its shows across the midstate. This theatre group really does run the gamut.

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