Casa Mañana Welcomes William Jones as President

Teresa Hubbard, Chair of Casa Mañana's Board of Directors, announced today that William (Wally) Jones has been selected as Casa Mañana's new President and Executive Producer effective November 3, 2008. His appointment comes following an exhaustive national search and unanimous approval by Casa Mañana's Executive Committee.
He joins Casa Mañana as the organization celebrates its 50th year as a theatrical force in North Texas.  Mr. Jones was the search committee's first choice for the top position. 

He joins Casa Mañana as the organization celebrates its 50th year as a theatrical force in North Texas. Mr. Jones was the search committee's first choice for the top position.

"Mr. Jones's leadership abilities, artistic insight, energy, and innovation will guide and inspire Casa Mañana," said Rob Hood, Casa Mañana's Interim President and Executive Producer, and member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. "We're thrilled he's on board."

Teresa Hubbard confirmed the sentiments.

"Mr. Jones has served with North Carolina Theatre for over 20 years, investing his talents over the last six years as the NCT's Executive Director and Producer. He consistently demonstrates progressive leadership by balancing the important aspects of creative artistry and impressive business insight."

Wally Jones was equally enthusiastic about this new role.

"Casa Mañana is a strong organization with a great reputation," he said. "I am excited to continue its growth and success and to expand its horizons."

As Executive Director and Producer, Mr. Jones brought Raleigh the critically acclaimed production of The Sound Of Music starring the actual Von Trapp great grandchildren and The King & I starring Lou Diamond Phillips (reprising his Tony-nominated role). He is also credited with renewing the theatre's youth education, performance, and outreach programs. Wally sustained and enhanced the Capital Awards, NCT's unique version of the Tony Awards, in order to celebrate the work of aspiring young performers in the community, elevate the importance of performing arts education in community high schools, and perpetuate the community's support and passion for the performing arts. He conceptualized and coordinated Kids on Broadway & the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory, which trains young people in the performing arts, and also formed William Jones Productions to produce theatre for young audiences through tours.

"Wally Jones will bring even more fresh ideas, innovative thinking, and leadership to Casa Mañana," Mrs. Hubbard said.

"I've known Wally Jones for several years and he is imminently qualified to be the next President and Executive Producer of Casa Mañana," said Denton Yockey, Casa Mañana's former President and Executive Producer.  "Wally has the passion, the experience, and the knowledge about all aspects of the theatre industry and arts education.  I think Wally is a terrific choice to lead Casa because he has both the artistic skills and the business acumen necessary to do the job and to do it very well."

"Casa Mañana is very fortunate to have found such an outstanding talent as Wally Jones to be its next President and Executive Producer," said Michael Jenkins, President and Managing Director of Dallas Summer Musicals. "He has an outstanding national reputation and brings an inventive style and fresh approach that will surely benefit the local and regional arts community."

 

Wally most recently served as Executive Director of North Carolina Theatre, where he had creative, artistic, and financial responsibilities for the $4 million nonprofit organization. Since 2003, under his leadership, NCT has been able to build a reserve of $2 million - an impressive feat - and has more than tripled its contributed income from $300,000 to over $1 million. A significant contributor to revenues came from Wally's design and implementation of a telephone direct call program that sells in excess of $700,000 in annual subscriptions for both NCT and North Carolina Symphony Orchestra.

During his tenure at NCT, his accomplishments brought accolades, honors, and full houses. Among them the formation of "Kids on Broadway", a production company for young professionals and the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory with productions including The Sound of Music starring the great grand children of Captain Von Trapp, which also played Las Vegas; and The King & I starring Lou Diamond Phillips and Fiddler on the Roof starring Paul Sorvino.

 

His innovative leadership brought about many significant milestones for North Carolina Theatre. Wally sustained and enhanced the Capital Awards, NCT's unique version of the Tony Awards, in order to celebrate the work of aspiring young performers in the community, elevate the importance of performing arts education in community high schools, and perpetuate the community's support and passion for the performing arts.

Wally has progressively partnered with local community organizations to foster good relations and has worked to expand the magic of musical theatre beyond the walls of the theatre through alliances with Marbles Kids Museum, a hands-on children's learning environment in Raleigh dedicated to encouraging imagination, curiosity and discovery.

By creating a Student Preview Night on the Friday before each show's opening night, Wally provided students and educators opportunities to view musicals at discounted rates and to interact with the cast and crew. This demonstrates Wally's diligence to arts education and appreciation, which is further exemplified through his extension of the year-round program of instruction in dance, acting, and voice through the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory.

Most recently, he was instrumental in securing a four-week run of the internationAl Blockbuster Broadway musical sensation, Jersey Boys, for Raleigh. In addition, he catalyzed the 2009 NC Theatre production of its first new work, The Existents.

Prior to assuming the role of Executive Director, Wally held various roles at NCT including Production Manager where he increased subscribers from 3,000 to 14,000 and where he managed all technical and budgetary aspects of the four annual main stage productions at the growing, popular theatre.

Wally produced his first production at the Variety Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. His Little Shop of Horrors got fine critical notice and ran for three full weeks, a good run at the Variety. He also founded William Jones Productions to produce theatre for young audiences by touring across the Southeast. Also in that year he started Broadway Dance Project, a no compete dance studio.

The genesis for Wally's love for theatre began as a young actor in community theatre in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina and grew through his experience at NCT where he took on every role behind the scenes so he could understand all aspects of the business, which has and will continue to serve him well throughout his career.

 

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