Shannon Mayers to Lead the Redfern Arts Center
KEENE, N.H., 7/25/2011 - Keene State College is pleased to announce the appointment of Shannon Mayers as the Director of the Redfern Arts Center on Brickyard Pond. The former Executive Director of the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Mayers will join the Redfern as it prepares to celebrate its 30th Anniversary season during the coming academic year. Her appointment follows the departure of former Redfern Director Bill Menezes, who retired in May, 2011.
“We are thrilled to welcome Shannon to Keene State College and to the larger regional arts community,” said Nona Fienberg, Dean of Arts and Humanities at Keene State College. “It will be exciting for us all to work with her as she leads the Redfern Arts Center on Brickyard Pond towards new and challenging arts adventures.”
In her previous position at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater, Mayers launched the theater’s inaugural programming series, expanding the organization’s audience base from 500 to 25,000 in 12 months. Prior to that, Mayers served as the Director of Production at the Arts World Financial Center, as well as the Summer Program Director at the Brooklyn Bridge Conservancy. She has worked as a production manager for numerous arts organizations including the Tribeca Film Festival, the UK in NY Festival, and Bang on a Can. In addition, Mayers has held teaching positions at several academic institutions including Queens College and Northwestern University.
“As an arts presenter, my experience comes from many different lenses,” explained Mayers. “My background is originally in theatre. I’m a stage director, a teacher, an arts administrator and I’ve also been backstage as a production manager. So I look very carefully at the big picture. I like getting involved.”
One of Mayers’ earliest tasks as Redfern Director will be to introduce the organization’s upcoming season at the Redfern’s 30th Anniversary Party, a free public celebration that will be held on Friday, September 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. Following a catered reception in the Redfern lobby, Mayers will provide audiences with a special preview of the 30th season, featuring video and live performances. “The 30th anniversary series should be applauded for its diversity and uniqueness,” said Mayers, who introduced a groundbreaking “Art of Justice” series at Gerald Lynch that received national media recognition. “There are a lot of great perspectives to be experienced out of these performances.”
As the 30th Anniversary season begins to unfold, Mayers plans to expand the Redfern’s outreach efforts to the campus and community, including the formation of an advisory council to solicit input from local and regional partners.
“I want the Redfern to be able to have a dialogue with its audiences,” said Mayers. “That’s how great ideas start. They don’t start in an office with a calendar and a catalogue. You can’t order the arts online. The performing arts are a living, breathing experience between the performer and the audience.”
Interview requests for Shannon Mayers can be directed to the Redfern offices at 603-358-2168. Tickets for the Redfern Arts Center’s 30th Anniversary season will go on sale August 1 at the Redfern Box Office, and can be purchased by phone (603-358-2168) or online.
