San Jose's Oldest Arts Organization Welcomes New Managing Director

Children's Musical Theater San Jose (CMT San Jose), a nationally acclaimed theater company honored 10 times by the NEA, and the oldest performing arts organization in San Jose will begin 2016 with a major leadership transition. CMT Board Chair Joy Osborne announced that Dana Zell, current CMT Director of Strategy would become the new Managing Director, taking over from Michael Miller, who has held that position since 2011. Miller will remain involved with CMT as the company looks ahead to a 50th anniversary in 2018.

CMT Artistic Director Kevin Hauge, celebrating his 20th year with the company will continue as Artistic Director. Hauge and Miller credit their partnership for the past 4 years with achieving new levels of financial and operational stability for the organization. They also both agree that as CMT approaches the 50th anniversary milestone, Dana Zell is ideally qualified to step into the leadership role. Dana Zell has a long history working with the organization, and during her most recent 14-month tenure as Director of Strategy she has demonstrated a deep commitment to, and understanding of CMT.

Michael Miller offered his perspective on the transition: "Dana is a win for CMT. She comes back to us after 6 years marketing the tour of Wicked. Dana has the education and strategic smarts with credentials as a performer, director and most recently as a CMT parent. After 14 months working together, I'm confident she will carry on the CMT legacy with strength and passion."

CMT Artistic Director Kevin Hauge added: "Dana Zell has been a valued and essential confidant to me for many years, so having her at my side for the coming years is a great comfort to me. Her leadership, drive, style, and compassion are some of the many positive qualities she brings to CMT as the new Managing Director."

And Joy Osborne, CMT Board Chair represented the Board's overall position on the subject: "We are thrilled to have Dana join us as CMT's Managing Director. Dana and I have built a strong partnership during the last 14 months, and I look forward to continuing that as she takes on this new leadership role. In addition to her fresh focus on the CMT operation, she will explore new local and national relationships that we believe could be meaningful to future CMT endeavors. We have a lot of great work to do together with the benefit of Dana's passion and business acumen. "

The City of San Jose acknowledges that a collaborative spirit and close relationships within the community have been a strong foundation for CMT for close to 5 decades.

"CMT is an artistic and cultural success story for the City of San Jose," said Kim Walesh, Director of Economic Development, Deputy City Manager, San Jose. "Under Kevin Hauge and Michael Miller's leadership the performing arts organization is financially stable and a source of pride for the City, due to its significant impact on the youth of Silicon Valley. Their productions at the historic Montgomery Theater engage family audiences and have a direct impact on the vitality of downtown San Jose. CMT's thoughtful succession planning and the hire of Dana Zell as the new Managing Director not only supports their mission but demonstrates how the Board and leadership have been stewards of this organization for 48 years."

Dana brings more than fifteen years of theatrical management and marketing experience to CMT. Originally from the Bay Area, Dana spent close to a decade in New York at Disney Theatrical Productions where she worked on tours of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Elton John & Tim Rice's Aida and The Lion King. She also worked at The Roundabout Theatre Company, Vineyard Theatre, and supported Broadway national tours of Hairspray and Contact. Prior to returning to her roots at CMT San Jose, Dana spent 7 years representing two national tours of the Broadway blockbuster Wicked. Dana holds a BA in Communications from University of California, San Diego and an MFA in Theater Management from Brooklyn College.

CMT, a nationally acclaimed theater organization, honored 10 times by the NEA and the oldest performing arts organization in San Jose, is celebrating its 48th year. A key provider of life building opportunities for youth in Silicon Valley, CMT remains committed to its mission to train and educate today's youth through musical theater to set and achieve high artistic and personal goals and to inspire them to become exemplary artists, patrons and citizens of tomorrow. Inclusiveness and quality are the two touchstones of CMT's vision. CMT is dedicated to providing the highest possible caliber of musical and theatrical training to children from ages 4 to 20, spanning all abilities and stands behind its promise never turn a child away, regardless of financial or physical limitations.

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