BUFFALO, N.Y.: Theatre of Youth (TOY) has named Tracy Snyder its managing director. Snyder succeeds Kevin Leary, who served in the role for three years. She will work with the company’s new director of development, Laura Curthoys, to lead the theatre.

“We are very excited to have Tracy and Laura as a part of TOY’s management team,” said vice president, Mary Czopp, in a statement.  “They join our theatre at such a pivotal time and we are confident their leadership and talents will continue to guide TOY in a direction that will provide the most enriching experience for children and their families.”

Snyder is a graduate of SUNY Buffalo (B.A in theatre performance) and Niagara University (M.A interdisciplinary studies, with a concentration in business and theatre). She also completed a residency at Shakespeare’s Globe.  For the past 7 years, Snyder served as education director and office manager at Shakespeare in Delaware Park, developing programs including a senior citizen outreach program, and leading the high school summer apprentice program, Shakespearience.

Curthoys is a graduate of the University at Buffalo with a B.A in English, B.F.A in dance, and M.A in arts management. She previously worked at the Bravo! Vail music festival, and as box office manager for Hopkins Center for the Arts. Curthoys is a professional dancer and has performed in the Dartmouth Dance Ensemble and as a member of a Buffalo-based modern dance company. 

“Kevin Leary’s years of service, creative vision and business strategy positioned Theatre of Youth to lead meaningful theatre experiences for children in Western New York,” said president of TOY board of directors, Elizabeth McPartland, in a statement. “We are grateful for his leadership and are confident his talents will continue to impact the local arts community through his work at the University at Buffalo.”