Monday, May 02, 2005

The Capitol Arts Alliance board has chosen a new president/executive director.

Mike Thomas, former managing artistic director at Public Theatre of Kentucky and current museum theater director for the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort, will take over the position July 1, alliance board Chairman Rick DuBose said. He will replace Steve Jones, who resigned as president of the alliance to accept the position of director at the Plaza Theatre in Glasgow.

He has so much energy and so much passion. It will bode well for the arts and theater in the community, DuBose said of Thomas. He has been successful wherever he has been, and we know he will bring a new energy and creative excitement to the Capitol.

Thomas said he was excited when he found out there was an opening at the Capitol.

I found out by accident. I was doing training with people from museums all over the state, he said. There were some people from Bowling Green there.

The trainees from Bowling Green told him about the president/executive position, and Thomas decided to apply.

I think this is a great progression for me. Bowling Green is my other home, he said. I want to give back to the community that has given so much to me. It made me the artist I am today.

A Western Kentucky University graduate, Thomas began his professional career with the Lexington Childrens Theatre. He was PTK managing artistic director from 1993 to 1998 and has been at the Kentucky Historical Society for seven years. His experience includes acting, directing, producing, marketing and managing a wide array of arts organizations and projects. He has received several awards, including the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Contribution to the Arts Award in 1998.

Thomas has already thought about goals he wants to set at the Capitol.

I dont plan to change anything, just energize it, he said.

He plans to look at what the Capitol has offered in the past and see what has been popular and what hasnt. He also wants to look at making some improvements at the Capitol Arts Center. Education will be his big drive, Thomas said.

Its so valuable and important to individuals, he said. Children are our future.

Another goal is to unite all the arts groups in Bowling Green.

Were sharing the same stage, whether its at the Capitol or out on Fountain Square, he said. I want there to be a deep creative connection between the Capitol and all artists in town. We want to keep Bowling Green on a path of growth.

Thomas will also help fill the positions of education director, which was previously held by Jason Nuetzman, and marketing programming coordinator, which was held until last week by Tina Murphy, DuBose said.

Its the end of the season, so we want to wait and let Mike weigh in on what he wants, he said. He may want to hire an education director and do the marketing himself or he may want to fill both positions. We dont know yet.

Thomas said he is looking forward to returning to Bowling Green.

Ive been on the Capitol stage, but I never dreamed I would guide it, he said. I want people to feel comfortable in knowing that the Capitol is a partnership and responsible to the community we live in.

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