Appointment of Scott Kenison as New Executive Director

Appointment of Scott Kenison as New Executive Director 

Marks a Significant Milestone for Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center

LIVERMORE, CA – (December 5, 2014) – The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center (LVPAC) announced that Scott Kenison has been named Executive Director, effective immediately. Kenison brings to LVPAC more than 20 years of experience from a wide range of management positions in the performing arts, most recently as Chief Operating Officer for the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington D.C. The selection of Kenison for the leadership role at LVPAC comes after a thorough national search which began almost six months ago and attracted over forty applicants. Joan Seppala, Chair of the Executive Search Committee and President of LVPAC said, “After numerous interviews with members of the search committee and staff, Kenison emerged as the clear choice for the post. In addition to his solid experience as a theater administrator and fundraiser, Scott provides a vision of what the arts can do for a community. His programming creativity and collaborative interpersonal skills will unite our varied interests behind common goals.”

During his tenure at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, Kenison played a key role in developing and renovating the 58,000 square foot facility, making the community-based center the cornerstone of the thriving H Street NE arts and entertainment district of Washington D.C. He was successful at increasing visibility for the arts in the region, building a diverse audience base through a highly acclaimed arts festival, a summer film series, stagecraft training and apprenticeship programs, and arts enrichment opportunities for young people. These and other efforts helped fulfill Atlas’ mission to be an affordable venue for local professional, as well as fledgling arts groups. Kenison’s broad background includes all facets of the performing arts, from operations management, fundraising, and marketing, to producing and stage direction. Prior to joining Atlas, Kenison served as a management consultant for the Washington Savoyards, DC’s professional musical theater company, and oversaw ticket operations and audience services for Studio Theater in Washington D.C. and for Edwards and Edwards in New York City. He is a past member of the board of directors for Theater Alliance.

“Since my first visit to Livermore, I felt I had found a new home both personally and professionally,” said Kenison. “The Board and staff have an extraordinary commitment to making great art and artists accessible to the community through both the Bankhead and the Bothwell. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and working with them to make that vision sustainable for years to come.”

Kenison’s appointment is one of several significant milestones LVPAC has reached in recent weeks as it pushes forward with strategic plans for the future. In November, LVPAC completed a four-party transaction with the City of Livermore, the County of Alameda, and the Bank of New York/Mellon, which eliminated the remaining bank debt on the Bankhead Theater. In addition, Chris Carter joined the staff as Development Director responsible for donor relations and fundraising activities. Kenison and Carter join LVPAC in the midst of a successful 2014-2015 season that has seen increased ticket sales with seven sold out shows so far, four of which occurred in a single week. Support for LVPAC continues to grow; the organization now has more than 650 members, a record number since the Bankhead Theater opened in 2007.

“With the bank debt resolved, LVPAC is better positioned to implement a sustainable model for the Bankhead as an independent theater, one that can provide audiences, resident companies, local businesses, and educators with a venue that satisfies their needs,” said Philip Wente, Chairman of LVPAC’s Board of Directors. “Scott brings to LVPAC a strong interdisciplinary background and performing arts perspective that will be essential in his new role. Adding him, as well as Chris, to our established management team will provide us with the leadership LVPAC needs to forge stronger community partnerships, build a broader base of financial support, and move operations forward on every level,” Wente added.

Managed by LVPAC, the Bankhead Theater and the Bothwell Arts Center are at the heart of Livermore’s thriving arts community. They offer access to the arts for audiences of all ages from the Tri-Valley and beyond, and provide a home for nine resident performing arts companies, as well as dozens of studio artists and cultural arts instructors. LVPAC Presents at the Bankhead Theater offers a diverse range of exceptional music, dance and theatrical performances on the main stage and, with the Livermore Cultural Arts Council, co-sponsors the free live music concerts on the Shea Homes Stage outside the theater during the summer months. The Bothwell Arts Center serves as an arts incubator, offering affordable classroom, rehearsal, performance and studio rental space for cultural arts organizations and individual visual artists. A list of upcoming performances at the Bankhead Theater, as well as activities at the Bothwell Arts Center, is available online at www.livermoreperformingarts.org.