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Austin360 blogs > Austin Arts: Seeing Things > Archives > 2008 > May > 08
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Austin Shakespeare names new managing director
Signaling its further organizational growth, Austin Shakespeare today announced that Alex Alford has been appointed as the first managing director in the company’s 23-year history.
Ann Ciccolella, Austin Shakespeare artistic director praised Alford’s experience as a long-time Austin arts administrator.
“Not only is Alex an extraordinarily talented arts administrator, he brings with him financial skills of the COO/CFO variety. His arrival is expected to take the organization from a place of reintroducing itself in the community to one of growth,” says Ciccolella. “He is a beloved insider in the Austin Arts scene. I know that Alex will now spread his wings by returning to his first love — the theater.”
Austin Shakespeare is currently presenting free performances “Much Ado About Nothing” in Zilker Park.
In 1994, Alford assumed the position of Director of Administration for Austin Lyric Opera, a position he held until 1999, when he became the Executive Assistant to the General Director. In 2004 he became Director of Board and Volunteers, serving as the primary liaison to the Board of Trustees and administrating volunteer and outreach programs, including: The Austin Lyric Opera Guild, Triangle on Stage (outreach program for Gay & Lesbian audiences) and La Noche de Opera (outreach program for Hispanic audiences).
A native of Liberty, Texas, Alford is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in History, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Alford has worked at the University of Texas Harry Ransom Research Center, Paramount Theatre for the Performing Arts, University of Texas Performing Arts Center and Zachary Scott Theatre Center. A dedicated Longhorn football fan, he has served on the board of directors for Austin Circle of Theaters as President and Rude Mechanicals, where he served as Treasurer.
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2007-08 Austin Critics’ Table Awards nominees
Ballet Austin’s “Cult of Color: Call to Color,” Austin Museum of Art’s triennial exhibit “New Art in Austin” and Zach Scott Theatre’s production of “Porgy and Bess” are just three of many events in the past year to be nominated for an award by the Austin Critics’ Table.
Other nominees announced today include composer Graham Reynolds, who was nominated for two original compositions, “Cult of Color: Call to Color” and “The Odyssey,” a choral work commissioned by the Austin Children’s Choir; dancers David Justin, Andee Scott and Laura Cannon; actors Marc Pouhé, Lee Eddy and Katherine Catmull; and visual artists Yoon Cho, Ali Fitzgerald and Jonathan Marshall. Costume designer Susan Branch, sound designer Buzz Moran and lighting designer Tony Tucci are also among this year’s nominees.
For a complete list of the Austin Critics’ Table 2007-2008 nominees, go to www.austin360.com/criticstable.
The informal group of arts critics from the American-Statesman and the Austin Chronicle acknowledges achievement in the arts with its annual awards. Awards are given in various categories for theater, dance, visual art and classical music.
This year’s awards ceremony will be at 7 p.m. June 2 at the Cap City Comedy Club, 8120 Research Blvd. Admission is free, and no reservations are required.
(Pictured: Anthony Casati and Allyson Paino in Ballet Austin’s “Cult of Color: Call to Color.”)
