The Next Stage: Whitefish Theatre Co. hires new artistic director
Published: October 2, 2011
After 32 years of nurturing the creative and artistic passions of its community, Whitefish Theatre Company is looking forward to its next 32 years. Part of "The Next Stage" is staff transitions, including the appointment of a new artistic director.
Nancy Nei, one of the company’s founding members, is stepping down as artistic director this year, after serving 10 years in that role. Jesse DeVine has been hired to replace her.
The change of artistic direction at the theatre will be gradual, with Nei mentoring DeVine during the 2011-’12 season.
In addition to her role at WTC, Nei has been an actor and director, and taught theatre and literary arts at Whitefish High School for 31 years. "After a rich life in the theatre, this is an exciting time for me," says Nei. "I will get to completely focus on my art, spending more of my time on the shows themselves.”
Nei will direct three shows this year: “The 39 Steps,” “Faith Healer” and “33 Variations.” The company also looks forward to having her serve as a director, actor and mentor in coming years.
DeVine is an actress, director and educator, who made Whitefish her home four years ago when she married Kevin DeVine, manager of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in musical theatre, and a master’s in theatre and directing. She had a theatre career in New York, and taught at the University of Maine, the Lyndon Institute in Vermont, and Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell.
"I have lived in many theatrically rich communities, but none have rivaled the talent we have here locally in the Flathead,” she says. “I feel so lucky to call this beautiful place home, and to have found my ideal work here as well."
"Whitefish Theatre Company has served as a rich supporter of the community and our diverse populations here for over 30 years, and I am honored to be a part of its future," she adds.
According to Carolyn Pitman, executive director of the organization, “several large changes are underway to make our next 32 years as meaningful as our first 32 years.” In addition to hiring a new artistic director, the company plans to update infrastructure at the O’Shaughnessy Center, making room for additional staff, and expand efforts to support the community’s changing needs with technology advances.
The company, which was launched in 1978 with a mission to “nurture the creative and artistic passions of our community by bringing the arts to life,” offers 54 community theatre performances and seven music concerts this season. In addition WTC will provide theatre and voice classes to local children, and nine community outreach performances that will reach 2,400 schoolchildren and 400 seniors.
Outreach is a particular interest to the new artistic director. “I always saw myself working on a grassroots level, giving theatre to the community; making it accessible to all walks of life regardless of social standing,” says DeVine. “I see such opportunity to expand this goal of community outreach here.”
For more information, visit www.whitefishtheatreco.org.
