Black Box Operations Welcomes Kaitlin McCarthy as Administrative Director

Black Box Operations is pleased to announce the appointment of Kaitlin McCarthy to serve as its first Administrative Director after a month-long search. The Administrative Director will serve as the liaison between the Capitol Hill community and the new theatre facilities opening at 12th Avenue Arts later this year.

In her new position, McCarthy will be continuing a long history with 12th Avenue. Commercially, she has worked with the esteemed Plum Bistro at 12th and Pike for the past four years. Artistically, she has choreographed, performed, and produced work at Velocity Dance Center, Seattle's premier center of contemporary dance located directly across the street from the new construction. McCarthy has demonstrated commitment to supporting the arts through volunteering, community organizing, and her work as a staff writer for Seattle Dances.

Greg Carter is Artistic Director of Strawberry Theatre Workshop, and served on the hiring committee: "Kaitlin will be the face of this organization moving forward. She will be reaching out to find artists who can fully utilize these state-of-the-art spaces. Kaitlin was very articulate about her commitment to the neighborhood and her vision for how multiple arts disciplines can thrive on Capitol Hill."

Black Box Operations is a non-profit facility management corporation focused on fostering live theatre as an art form, nurturing durable organizational relationships, and establishing neighborhood destinations for performance. The company was founded by three award-winning theatre companies: Washington Ensemble Theatre, Strawberry Theatre Workshop, and New Century Theatre Company. Black Box is supervised by a six-person Board of Directors, with membership drawn equally from each of the three partner organizations.

12th Avenue Arts is a multiuse real estate development of Capitol Hill Housing, who aspire to transform a parking lot into a neighborhood center featuring affordable housing, performing arts space, community meeting space, and local retail. CHH chose Black Box as Master Tenant of theatre facilities through a competitive application process in 2011.

12th Avenue Arts is currently under construction and will be open to commercial and residential tenants in November 2014. The theatre spaces will host inaugural events in January 2015. The Washington Ensemble Theatre opens the world premiere of Sprawl in the Studio Theatre January 16. Strawshop opens Thornton Wilder's Our Town on the Mainstage January 22.

Rental blocks remain for community renters in 2015 and 2016. Interested producers should contact Black Box via email: Kaitlin@blackboxoperations.org and visit blackboxoperations.org for more information.

For more information:

Black Box Operations: blackboxoperations.org
New Century Theatre Company: www.wearenctc.org
Strawberry Theatre Workshop: www.strawshop.org
Washington Ensemble Theatre: washingtonensemble.org