Bloglander

With the departure of its former executive artistic director Keith Dixon earlier this year, the Spokane Civic Theatre immediately began a nationwide search for a replacement. 

Now, just as the community theater ramps up for its 2016-17 season beginning next month, the Civic also welcomes its new artistic director, Lenny Bart. He'll arrive in Spokane on Sept. 9, just in time for the Civic's 70th Anniversary Gala happening on opening night of the upcoming season, which kicks off with a performance of Disney's Beauty and the Beast on the main stage, running through Oct. 9.

In a press release announcing Bart's arrival to the Spokane Civic team, interim Artistic Director Jack Phillips says: "He brings a wealth of experience in guiding theaters very similar to us. I know he'll work well with new CEO Mike Shannon and will quickly get to know the hundreds of wonderful volunteers that work here."

Before coming to the Civic, Bart served as executive director for Arts Quincy/Quincy Society of Fine Arts of Quincy, Illinois. Prior to that, he spent three seasons as executive director of the Quincy Community Theatre. His resume also includes a long list of work with many other respected theater organizations in New Jersey and New York. 

In the role of artistic director, Bart will work alongside Civic CEO Shannon in a new dual-leadership model for the organization. Under this structure, Shannon is responsible for leading business and development responsibilities for the theater, freeing Bart to focus primarily on creative duties and performances.