BOSTON, MASS.: The Company One Theatre board of directors names managing director Karthik Subramanian the organization’s second executive director, alongside artistic director Shawn LaCount.
“We are thrilled to continue working with Karthik in this expanded leadership role,” said C1’s board president Sasha Abby VanDerzee, Ed.D, in a statement. “He has successfully steered the company’s finances through one of the most challenging times in its history. Thanks in large part to his dedication and leadership, C1 is in a stronger position financially than it was at the start of the pandemic, with a staff that has expanded even as other organizations have been forced to make significant cuts. We can’t wait to see what’s next for C1 with Karthik in this role.”
Subramanian served as managing director since 2019, taking over from Sarah Shampnois, who occupied the position since the company’s founding in 1998.
“Company One Theatre has demonstrated deep care for my growth within this organization, which I believe reflects the company’s clear investment in the people of this city,” said Subramanian in a statement. “They have helped me become not only a leader, but a change maker. Having been the beneficiary of that investment, I look forward to paving the way for others to have similar mentorship and opportunities.”
“Having worked with Karthik for over 10 years at Company One and for the last two in his managing director capacity, it’s clear that the organization will benefit immensely both internally and across the sector from his leadership in an executive level position,” said LaCount in a statement. “The last two years mark the first time in the company’s history that we had only one executive director, and it is aligned with our organizational values and mission for there to be two leaders serving in the executive level positions. Karthik’s care, passion, and integrity make him a great fit for leadership at Company One.”
Subramanian is committed to equity in arts and culture, having worked as policy chair for Create the Vote, a steering committee member for the Asian Pacific Islander Arts Network and one of the organizers of #culturalsalvation. He started his tenure at C1 11 years ago and spent six years as the organization’s production manager before being promoted to business manager in 2018.
“Where we can now envision an end to the pandemic in the not too distant future, there are artists and activists rightly calling for more equitable ways to make art and performance,” said Subramanian in a statement. “I believe Company One Theatre is uniquely positioned to meet that call.”
Subramanian is a mentor with ArtsBoston’s Network for Arts Administrators of Color, and a graduate of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice program. He has also worked extensively with Northeastern University, The Theater Offensive and Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center’s Pao Arts Center.
