Seasoned theatre executive Angela Lee Gieras will join the Kansas City Repertory Theatre as its executive director.
The newly created position will provide additional leadership as the Rep prepares for its 50th anniversary in 2014 and will support the Rep as it continues to strengthen its position as a leading regional theatre. Gieras will begin her new position on August 1.
“For the past five years, we have built Kansas City Rep into a nationally recognized theatre company, with the help of thousands of generous, passionate Kansas Citians who believe the Rep’s brightest days are ahead,” said Eric Rosen, artistic director of the theatre. “With that belief in mind, the Rep has searched nationally for an extraordinary, ambitious management leader to partner with me to build on our success and achieve our most ambitious dreams. I am thrilled that Angela has accepted our invitation to join the Rep staff, board, and community to lead the company with me. Of all our recent accolades, this moment is probably the most important and exciting news for our company, and I welcome Angela and her family to the city that welcomed me so warmly five years ago.”
“I am thrilled and honored to partner with Eric, the Rep Board, UMKC and the theatre’s passionate and dedicated staff to usher in a new phase of artistic growth, ambition and vision for Kansas City Rep,” said Gieras. “My family and I look forward to making Kansas City our home and to being engaged members of the community.”
As the Rep’s chief administrative and operating officer, Gieras will partner with Rosen to fulfill the Rep’s artistic vision and mission; assume overall responsibility for the day-to-day administrative, operational and human resources functions of the theatre and serve as the primary staff representative to the theatre’s board of directors and UMKC, where the Rep is the professional theater in residence.
“Angela brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience. This is excellent news, not just for KC Rep, or UMKC, but for Kansas City as a whole. We will all benefit from her energy and expertise,” Leo Morton, chancellor of UMKC, said.
Prior to this appointment Gieras served as director of development at Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, Fla., where she represented the organization in the community and led the organization’s fundraising strategy and implementation. Annual contributions nearly doubled under her leadership. Previously, Gieras was the associate managing director of the Dallas Theater Center in Dallas, Tex., where she oversaw marketing and public relations, human resources, financial management, artist contracting and facilities management. Gieras and her husband and daughter will move to Kansas City this summer.
“On behalf of the Rep’s board of directors, we are excited to have Angela on our team as we build momentum toward the theatre’s upcoming 50th anniversary and continue to plan for the future,” said Scott Boswell, chairman of the Rep’s Board of Directors. “Angela has a strong background in theatre, not-for-profit strategy, finance and development. I look forward to working with her, Eric, the Rep’s staff and board of directors, and our UMKC partners.”
The nationwide search for executive director was lead by Rep board member Courtney Goddard. The search committee included board members Boswell, John H. Johntz, Jr., honorary vice chairman; Bunni Copaken, distinguished director; William R. Blessing and Kristopher Dabner. Representing UMKC were Sharon Lindenbaum, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration; Curt Crespino, Vice Chancellor, Advancement and Troy Lillebo, Assistant Vice Chancellor for External Relations. Rosen and the Rep’s producing director Jerry Genochio represented the theatre. Guidance for the national search was provided by arts consultant Barbara Janowitz.
About the University of Missouri-Kansas City
The University of Missouri-Kansas City, one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students, and celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2013. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.
About Kansas City Repertory Theatre
Just shy of its 50th anniversary, Kansas City Repertory Theatre is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected regional theaters. Lauded by The Wall Street Journal, TIME magazine, Variety and the Toronto Sun, the Rep produces mainstage plays and special events at Spencer Theatre, where it serves as the professional theatre in residence at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), and Copaken Stage located in downtown Kansas City. Kansas City Rep employs more than 250 professional artists, technicians and administrators, and serves more than 100,000 patrons and 12,000 school children annually. Kansas City Repertory Theatre is led by Artistic Director Eric Rosen and Executive Director Angela Lee Gieras.
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