Pollard Theatre welcomes new Executive Director

The Board of Directors of The Pollard Theatre Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Kara Luther-Chapman as Executive Director.

Luther-Chapman is obtaining her MBA from Colorado State University with an emphasis in not-for-profit administration. Luther-Chapman comes to the Pollard Theatre with nearly fifteen years of experience in administrative management and the performing arts industries in both performance and direction. Luther-Chapman joins newly appointed Artistic Director Jared Blount.

Related article: Blount to succeed Stevenson as Artistic Director of the Pollard Theatre Company

“I am very excited to be partnering with my dear friend and collaborator, Kara Luther-Chapman in this artistic endeavor. Her expertise and ingenuity will be paramount in furthering the vision for the Pollard Theatre.” said Blount. “Remembering the history and traditions of this theatre is what propels our work forward; but the application of strong, unique ideas and voices is how we advance. I believe the addition of Luther-Chapman to this team is ultimately a major step in the right direction.”

Luther-Chapman’s professional expertise includes former owner and creative director of Forever After Parties and production management for NETworks Presentations LLC. In addition, Luther-Chapman has served in various non-profit administrative roles, including the Oklahoma Goodwill and St. Mary’s Episcopal School. In combination with a deep passion for promoting community-based arts programs, Luther-Chapman hopes to develop the historic organization’s mission further.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kara as our new Executive Director,” says Suzanne Hirzel, Pollard Theatre Board of Directors President. “She will bring experience, enthusiasm, and a fresh perspective to our organization. We feel very lucky to have found her. We look forward to a prosperous and invigorating season under the Pollard’s new leadership.”

The Pollard’s contemporary approach to storytelling, including promoting new talent and using the art form to address current issues such as inequality and race matters, appealed to Luther-Chapman.

“We have a unique moment to restore and reimagine our next chapter during these unusual circumstances. At the same time, we ensure that the Pollard Theatre will remain an integral part of the Oklahoma community.” said Luther-Chapman. “Our mission of ‘experience a stage of inspiration’ alludes to our past while we look towards the future and the stages of development to come.” Luther-Chapman fulfills a new role for the Pollard Theatre Company effective immediately.

The historic Pollard Theatre was established in 1919 and was initially formed as a Resident Theatre Company in 1987; our sense of ‘company’ now extends to a local pool of talented artists, creators, and collaborators. The Pollard Theatre Company is a professional resident theatre recognized by patrons, critics, and artists as one of the leading theatrical producers in central Oklahoma. The Pollard Theatre Company produces with additional support from the Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, The Shubert Foundation, and Guthrie Tourism. The Pollard Theatre is located at 120 W. Harrison Ave. Guthrie, OK 73044. For more information on upcoming programming, please visit www.thepollard.org.