BETHESDA, MD.: Imagination Stage has announced that Layne Holley is the theatre’s new chief managing officer, succeeding managing director Jason Najjoum. Holley joins chief artistic programming officer Joanne Lamparter, who succeeded founding artistic director Janet Stanford earlier this year, in advancing the mission of the 45-year-old organization. In her new role, Holley will be responsible for overseeing all managerial aspects of the organization, prioritizing efficient daily operation and administration, strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, and community and trustee relations.
“On behalf of the board of trustees, I am thrilled to welcome Layne Holley into the Imagination Stage family,” said board president Kim W. Barnette in a statement. “During her candidate presentation, she discussed and displayed the confidence, critical thinking, creativity, character, communication, and collaboration that we desire of our chief managing officer. I am excited for Imagination Stage’s future with Layne Holley as our new CMO.”
Holley most recently served as the director of marketing and communication at Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Her experience and skills as a theatre administrator and business leader include establishing and managing budgets and directing financial resources, personnel, stakeholders, and major projects to success. She is a strategic, inclusive, creative, and energetic leader who cultivates and strengthens partnerships, leveraging a career of corporate and nonprofit leadership to share live theatre and the performing arts with people of all ages and backgrounds. Holley holds BA and MBA degrees from Auburn University.
“I’m delighted to work in partnership with Layne as we create a sustainable path forward and chart the next several years and beyond,” said Lamparter, who leads all educational and artistic initiatives, in a statement.
Together, Holley and Lamparter will aim to expand and deepen Imagination Stage’s impact on thousands of children and young people in the D.C. metropolitan area, concentrating on the company’s priorities of education, professional theatre for children, and theatre for change in their social justice program.
Founded in 1979, Imagination Stage offers classes, camps, professional theatre for young audience, as well as brings programming to D.C. metropolitan area communities through partnerships with Montgomery County Public Schools, D.C. Public Schools and others. Their mission is to empower all young people to discover their voice and identity through performing arts education and professional theatre. As of 2023, the theatre had a budget of approximately $5.9 million.
