Celebrity Attractions Appoints Kristin Dotson as New CEO

Celebrity Attractions, nationally touring Broadway presenter, announced today the appointment of Kristin Dotson as chief executive officer effective July 1, succeeding Ed. L. Payton, who is retiring. Drew Payton and Kay Payton continue to support and lead as the owners, Board of Directors, and Broadway Producers for Celebrity Attractions.

"Kristin is going to take Celebrity Attractions to the next level," said Ed. Payton. "Her experience in making Celebrity Attractions a premier presenter of nationally touring Broadway in Tulsa, her passion for servicing patrons on a regional scale, and her authentic team player approach make her an extraordinary fit for Celebrity Attractions."

"She is the right person to lead Celebrity Attractions to the next stage of growth," said Drew Payton.

Dotson is a 23-year Celebrity team veteran who has worked in every area of presenting Broadway Seasons including box office, group sales, marketing, season development and human resources. For much of her time at Celebrity Attractions, Dotson was the Senior Marketing Director and then, after a promotion in 2015, began booking national Broadway tours for current and future seasons as well as representing Celebrity Attractions on a national stage at The Broadway League conferences.

Over the years, her leadership helped launch the 3rd national tour of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST in Tulsa, the first Oklahoma engagement of Disney's THE LION KING, multiple week and return engagements of WICKED and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and more than 110 other national touring productions which have all contributed to growing Broadway Season subscriptions, positioning Tulsa as a premier destination market for touring Broadway nationwide.

"I'm incredibly excited to lead the Celebrity Attractions team in this new capacity," said Dotson. "It is an honor to be part of a company that contributes so much to the quality of life and economies of the markets we serve. Our staff is some of the best and most experienced in the country - committed to building and maintaining strong relationships with our patrons, our partners and our industry. And I learned from the best - I hope to make our late founder Larry Payton proud."

Kay Payton said, "Celebrity Attractions has pioneered bringing nationally touring Broadway and more to Oklahoma for more than 30 years. Ed has provided us with nearly 20 years of devoted service. His leadership has been invaluable and reflected in our company's success. Kristin has also played an integral part in that growth, and we are truly excited about the future as we move forward with her as our new CEO."

Celebrity Attractions invests in shows on Broadway and on tour, serves as board members to major industry organizations, is a Tony Award voter, and nurtures strong relationships with producers, agents and other presenters. All these efforts contribute to the ability to secure the best shows and negotiate the most affordable prices for metro area audiences. Playing a major role in the vital and thriving arts scene in Tulsa, Celebrity Attractions brings national tours that locally make an economic impact of more than $40 million on average to the metro area.

"We are thrilled to have Kristin as our CEO. The coming years are going to be extraordinary for the company, and I have no doubt that the greatest impact of Celebrity Attractions in the region is yet to come," said Drew Payton.

Dedicated to Bringing Broadway and MORE To You since 1983, Celebrity Attractions is an Oklahoma-based presenter and producer of national tours and handles the marketing and group sales across the Southwest and Midwest. Celebrity Attractions, in association with local partnerships, is pleased to present nationally touring Broadway seasons in: Tulsa, OK; Springfield, MO; Lubbock, Amarillo, and Abilene, TX; and Little Rock, AR. Celebrity Attractions strives to present the best of Broadway and more, provide quality concierge-type customer service and enrich the communities they serve.

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