Theatre Cedar Rapids has named Matt Curtis as its inaugural director of production, a newly created position, the organization announced July 2.
The appointment follows the organization’s naming of Angie Toomsen as executive and artistic director earlier this year.
Mr. Curtis has more than a decade of experience in theatrical production and creative leadership, including roles with Disney Theatrical Group and the Educational Theatre Association, as well as work with professional and community theatres nationally.
In the new role, Mr. Curtis will oversee execution of Theatre Cedar Rapids’ productions, working across artistic, technical and administrative departments. His responsibilities include strengthening production processes and supporting volunteer artists and technicians.
Mr. Curtis has directed several productions for Theatre Cedar Rapids in recent seasons, including “Jersey Boys,” “Hairspray,” “Something Rotten!,” “Guys and Dolls” and, most recently, “Noises Off.”
Ms. Toomsen will continue to lead the organization’s artistic vision, season programming and organizational strategy. Mr. Curtis will lead production systems, cross-department collaboration and operational execution.
“Matt has earned the trust of this community through his work here over the past several years and he has a deep understanding of who we are and what makes Theatre Cedar Rapids special,” Ms. Toomsen said. “Matt brings a unique ability to build the processes, collaboration, and production quality needed to realize our artistic vision. I’m excited to see the many ways he’ll strengthen our production protocols, support our volunteers and artists, and continue elevating our production product.”
Mr. Curtis most recently served as senior creative director for the Educational Theatre Association, where he led creative strategy, storytelling and audience-facing content for the national organization, which serves more than 85,000 students and 6,000 educators. He also contributed to the creative direction of the International Thespian Festival.
Before that, Mr. Curtis spent six years at Disney Theatrical Group, managing development of Broadway licensing and educational resources for more than 40 Broadway and educational theatre titles. He worked with schools and theatres nationally to pilot productions before their public release, including “Newsies,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Peter and the Starcatcher,” “Frozen JR.” and “Aladdin JR.”
Mr. Curtis has also worked with Theatre Cedar Rapids in an advisory capacity on planning efforts in recent years.
“It’s difficult to put into words what this opportunity means to me,” Mr. Curtis said. “Theatre Cedar Rapids has been part of my life since I first stepped onto this stage as an 11-year-old in 1993. The people who built this organization – and the volunteers and staff who continue to sustain it today – instilled in me a lifelong belief in what community theatre can accomplish. To now join the staff and help steward TCR into its second century is an incredible honor. I’m excited to support the remarkable work already happening here, strengthen the systems that allow artists and volunteers to thrive, and help ensure that live theatre created by this community continues to be a defining part of Cedar Rapids for generations to come.”
The appointment comes as Theatre Cedar Rapids completes a $9.5 million renovation project.
Theatre Cedar Rapids is one of the largest producing community theatres in the Midwest and operates out of the historic Iowa Theatre building.
