Hayes Center hires new managing director
eason@mountaintimes.com
The Mariam and Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center announced on Wednesday the hiring of Todd Morgan as the interim managing director of the Blowing Rock arts center for the 2011 season.
Morgan's new duties will include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the 348-seat Hayes Center. Hayes Center operations were suspended in September 2009, and the organization has since then been restructured and repositioned, according to the Hayes Center Board of Directors.
The center will reopen for regular shows and other activities this month.
Morgan comes to Blowing Rock directly from the Signature Theatre in Arlington, Va. He received his MFA degree in performing arts management from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and spent a full season at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., working in the general management office.
Previously, Morgan worked in the High Country as director of entertainment for Tweetsie Railroad.
As the founder and director of the North Carolina Stage Ensemble, Morgan has produced a number of musical productions, including "Little Shop of Horrors," "Smokey Joe's Café," "Forever Plaid" and "The Will Rogers Follies" in theaters, resorts and colleges throughout North Carolina.
Morgan currently resides in Linville with his wife, Donna, and daughters Molly and Allyssa.
The upcoming schedule of events at the Hayes Center includes Jan Karon Lectures and "An Evening with Father Tim" (June 2-4), the DePue Brothers Band (June 18 and 19), "Mr. Broadway" (June 24 and 25), and The Kingston Trio (July 2 and 3).
The Hayes Performing Arts Center is located at 152 Jamie Fort Road in Blowing Rock. For more information, call (828) 295-9627 or visit http://www.hayescenter.org.
