Sun Valley Center Names Scott Palmer, New Producing Artistic Director of Company of Fools

The Sun Valley Center for the Arts is thrilled to announce that Scott Palmer has been hired as the new Producing Artistic Director of Company of Fools. In his new role, Scott will lead the artistic direction of the Hailey-based professional theatre company and serve on The Center's executive leadership team, reporting to Executive Director Christine Davis-Jeffers.

Since 2004, Scott has served as the Founding Artistic Director of Bag&Baggage Productions, a nationally known professional theatre company in Hillsboro, Oregon. In 2015, under Scott's artistic leadership, Bag&Baggage was honored with a National Theatre Company award by the American Theatre Wing-the organization responsible for managing the Tony Awards.

Scott brings to his new role at Company of Fools a track record of artistic excellence, community engagement, strategic vision and inspired civic leadership. During his 14-year tenure at Bag&Baggage, Scott stewarded the organization from a small touring company to one of the greatest recent theatre success stories in the state of Oregon. He was described by Oregon ArtsWatch as "one of Oregon's, if not the nations, most ambitious directors." Scott was named to the prestigious National Theatre Conference in 2017 in recognition of his work with classical theatre and his commitment to making quality performing arts accessible to all. He is also actively involved with the Theatre Communications Group, the national association of professional theatres, with a specific focus on working to advance theatre in rural and suburban areas.

"Scott comes to The Center with a wealth of theatre knowledge from his time with Bag&Baggage," said Christine Davis-Jeffers, Executive Director. "One of the things that distinguished Scott as a candidate is that his artistic vision and values are well-aligned with those of Company of Fools and The Center. He shared with us that he looks forward to developing the BIG IDEA projects with the group and welcomes the wonderful opportunity to lead Company of Fools. Not only is he a highly talented director and artistic director Scott also has a great sense of humor. We are lucky to have him join us and lead us in the next chapter of Company of Fools history."

Scott will work part time for several months as he fulfills his commitments in Oregon and will begin working full time with COF in early March 2019. In the near term, Scott will collaborate with COF's Season Producer R.L. Rowsey, Production Manager K.O. Ogilvie and Company Manager Kris Olenick to develop the Company's 24th theatre season.

Scott replaces Kent Thompson, who has served in an Interim Producing Director capacity at COF since the June 2017 death of Founding Company Artist John Glenn. In addition to shepherding the Company's 23rd season, Kent was instrumental in helping The Center identify the kind of leadership role that would be best for COF's future; he also helped define the job description at the heart of the candidate search that led to Scott.

"I am so honored to have been selected as the next artistic leader of Company of Fools," said Scott. "Company of Fools has a national reputation for excellence, and I am eager to get to work supporting the staff, board and patrons to continue that great legacy of quality with a focus on the community. Already, I have felt welcomed by the people I have met from the Valley, and I can't wait to start this exciting new position."

To post a comment, you must register and login.