BETHESDA, MD.: Imagination Stage has announced that founding artistic director Janet Stanford will be appointed to the new position of producing artistic director, effective Jan. 1, 2021. This appointment is part of a shift in the leadership structure of Imagination Stage which will see Stanford as the senior leader of the organization, responsible for the company’s strategic direction, while current founder and executive director Bonnie Fogel will move into a new part-time position under the title of “founder.”
“Throughout her tenure with Imagination Stage, Janet has led the organization from a community-based arts organization to a nationally significant regional Theatre for Young Audiences and arts education provider,” said Imagination Stage board president Patrick O’Neil in a statement. “The organization faces some of its greatest challenges in light of COVID-19, and the board has full faith that Janet’s creativity, vision, and most importantly dedication to bettering the lives of DC-area children and families, will prove to be the right leadership for this unprecedented moment.”
Additionally, Imagination Stage is adding two new senior leadership positions, with current associate managing director Meghann Babo-Shroyer moving into the role of managing director and current director of education and theatre for change Joanne Seelig Lamparter stepping into the role of artistic director, education and theatre for change. Babo-Shroyer will lead the institutional development and financial management, while Seelig Lamparter will continue to develop educational and theatrical programming for area families and children.
“Imagination Stage is at its heart dedicated to giving voice to children and youth, a mission that is more vital today than ever before,” said Stanford in a statement. “I am honored to lead a team of dedicated arts leaders who are all passionate about this mission. This new leadership structure not only allows us to reinvest in the team but positions us well to tackle new challenges and opportunities for years to come.”
