🔒 Skylight Music Theatre names new govt director

Skylight Music Theatre introduced right now that Susan Varela has been chosen to be its new govt director.

Varela served as interim govt director since January 2023 and was chosen for the place after a nationwide search. She is going to start in her new position instantly.

“We worth Susan’s management, enthusiasm, and fervour for Skylight Music Theatre,” Valerie Johnson, president of the board of administrators for Skylight, mentioned in a press launch. “We’re assured she is going to assist Skylight efficiently transfer ahead as we proceed to get well from the challenges of the pandemic and assist Skylight develop and strengthen what we do greatest – entertaining and delighting audiences with the total vary of music theatre.”

Varela joined the Skylight employees in 2019 as director of creative operations. Previous to that she had a 30-year profession in theater that included performing, directing, and producing. As an actor Varela carried out on Broadway in “Les Misérables” and within the Nationwide Excursions of “Little Girls: The Musical,” “Cats,” and “Evita.” At Skylight she appeared in “Les Misérables,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Into the Woods,” and “Sweeney Todd.” Domestically and regionally, Varela has directed and produced leisure content material for particular occasions, non-profits, and TV commercials.

Varela attended Greendale Excessive Faculty and graduated from the College of Wisconsin – Stevens Level. Along with acting at Skylight, she has been seen at First Stage, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre and in cabarets and live shows throughout the nation along with her husband, Andrew Varela.

“I’m thrilled to simply accept this place,” mentioned Varela. “As somebody born and raised in Milwaukee, this theater has had a spot in my coronary heart for many years. When Andrew and I left New York to boost our son, we selected to settle right here. Skylight Music Theatre has been our creative residence ever since, and it’s an unimaginable honor to now lead this group. I look ahead to working carefully along with the artists and professionals who make up Skylight to navigate present challenges and to generate new pleasure as we make Skylight ‘Milwaukee’s residence for music theatre.’”

Skylight’s earlier govt director, Jack Lemmon, served within the position from 2015-2022. The nationwide seek for his alternative was carried out by Administration Consultants for the Arts.

Based in 1959, Skylight Music Theatre is knowledgeable “fairness music theatre firm” and the most important employer of Wisconsin actors within the state.