Big changes in Adirondack theater community

Leadership changes on stages in Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Westport

Arts organizations are often churny, chaotic, muddled institutions.  Especially during economic downturns, like the one we’ve just experienced, even the best theaters, galleries and performance spaces can flame bright then flame out.

The Adirondacks has had a remarkably stable scene in recent years, but there is a sort of generational transition underway now at two of the big institutions, Pendragon Theater and the Lake Placid Center for the Arts.

This week, LPCA’s board announced that Nadine Duhaime is stepping down as executive director after 26 years.

Duhaime has successfully guided the Arts Center, a not-for-profit, through challenging financial times and has helped shape the Center into one of the largest, multi-faceted and thriving organizations of its kind in New York State.

The LPCA Board of Directors has reluctantly accepted Duhaime’s resignation with the understanding that she will stay on until a replacement has been found.  The Board will be organizing a search and hopes to fill her post by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Pendragon Theater in Saranac Lake has also announced that co-founders Susan Neal and Bob Pettee will also be stepping down following a transition that will end in the summer of 2013.

Pendragon has announced that Karen Kirkham, chair of the theater and dance department at Dickinson College in Carisle, Pennsylvania, will take over as executive and artistic director.

SUNY Potsdam alum David Zwierankin will take over as managing director at the theater, which has emerged as one of the top professional theater companies in the region since its first production in 1980.  This from the official announcement:

“We are delighted that our new leadership team will ensure Pendragon remains true to its mission and tradition: presenting professional, engaging, diverse theater and education programs throughout the Adirondack Region” said Charles Carroll, Board President.

One other arts transition note:  This will be the first season for the Depot Theater in Westport under the leadership of new managing director Angel Wuellner.  Wuellner started in the post April 2nd, according to a Depot Theater announcement.

“We are thrilled to welcome Angel into our theatre family,” said George Davis, president of the Depot Theatre Board of Trustees. “She was a standout in the executive team’s national search, with ample industry experience and terrific energy.”

Tags: adirondacks, arts