Capital Stage Welcomes New Artistic Director, Managing Director

Capital Stage has announced the leadership team of JoNathan Williams as the company's new artistic director and Erin Lucas in the company's new position of managing director. Williams is one of the co-founders of Capital Stage and has been the company's producing director for the past four years. Lucas also has a background as a theatre founder (Flashpoint Theatre Company in Philadelphia) along with managing director experience in Portland, Oregon at Profile theatre and CoHo Productions.

"We are very excited about the new team of JoNathan Williams and Erin Lucas. With Jonathan, we get the continuity of artistic vision of an unparalleled local artist who, it just happens, knows the company inside and out. With Erin, we get new young blood from outside the local area who has a proven track record of doing what we do-bold, intimate, thought-provoking theater," said Capital Stage board president, Clif McFarland.

Last spring Capital Stage founding artistic director Stephanie Gularte announced that she would be stepping down at the end of the 2013-14 season. The company launched a nationwide search and received over sixty submissions for the position of artistic director.

"We received some very impressive applications," said McFarland, "but the board ultimately was in unanimous agreement that Jonathan is the artistic leader who is ideally suited to carry Capital Stage's vision into its next era."

"I've had the opportunity to work alongside Stephanie for the past nine years and am extremely proud of what Capital Stage has accomplished under her leadership," said Williams. "I am honored to be given the opportunity to build on that success and to guide the company into its next era of bringing bold, professional Live Theatre to the Sacramento community."

The preparation for a leadership transition created an opportunity for the board of directors to consider the next phase of the company's evolution. Erin Lucas came to the attention of the search committee as the top candidate for the new position of managing director. "It was very important to us that Erin was a founder and really the de facto artistic director at Flashpoint Theater in Philadelphia for a number of years. Capital Stage is fueled by a 'founder's mentality,' the drive and energy and passion that comes from the 'this-is-my-baby' attitude," said McFarland. As managing director Lucas will focus primarily on the financial, strategic planning and marketing side of the business.

"I was immediately attracted to Capital Stage's mission and production history. I'm thrilled about the opportunity to work with such a talented group of artists and to continue bringing great theatre to Sacramento audiences," said Lucas.

The leadership structure of artistic director/managing director will support Capital Stage's substantial growth since moving into its midtown location. In the past year alone the company has experienced a 20% increase in season subscribers and a 70% in individual donations.

The leadership transition will begin in December with Gularte remaining involved with the company as a founder, board member and artist.

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