Stages has selected Katie Maltais as Managing Director, following an executive search process led by Arts Consulting Group (ACG). She began her tenure on August 1, 2021.
A veteran performing arts executive, Ms. Maltais most recently served as Managing Director at Curious Theatre Company in Denver, Colorado. In this role, she earned an industry reputation for forging rapid growth and instigating institutional change, specifically in areas of patron loyalty and community building. Ms. Maltais also created The Loyalty Target, a new model for arts administration that has been adopted by arts organizations in both the United States and United Kingdom. A fierce advocate for the anti-racism and anti-oppression movement in the arts, she has spearheaded Denver’s first Diversity in Theater panels. Before joining Curious Theatre Company, she served as the Marketing Director for the Lone Tree Arts Center, where she led the organization through a period of exponential earned revenue growth. As Manager of Accounts and Services for international consulting firm TRG Arts, she worked with such notable organizations as Nederlander Alliances, Center Theatre Group, Alley Theatre, Goodman Theatre, and Arts Club Theatre Company.
Ms. Maltais has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Denver arts administration program and as keynote speaker at the Colorado Thespian Conference. In addition to completing the Arts Innovation and Management Program through the DeVos institute of Arts Management, Ms. Maltais received a bachelor of arts in arts administration and theatre from Drury University.
In making the announcement, Stages’ Board President and Search Committee Chair Jane Schmitt said, “Katie’s love for theater is infectious and her openness to our company and vision, along with her expertise, was inspiring to the board and staff. We know she will make an excellent co-leader of Stages, working alongside our esteemed Artistic Director, Kenn McLaughlin.”
“I am excited to lead alongside a woman of great accomplishment whose fresh perspective will join the many voices shaping Stages,” said Kenn McLaughlin, Stages Artistic Director. “Katie is a team leader, service leader, and mentor, and these qualities will allow her to move Stages forward in many innovative ways. Our beliefs about collaboration and the power of art are fully aligned, but our experiences are vastly different, so I am looking forward to learning and growing with Katie’s voice at the table.”
“I am beyond thrilled to join the incredible team at Stages,” said Ms. Maltais. “The organization is so closely aligned with my values and focus on community building and anti-racism/anti-oppression work that it could not be a better fit. I am especially delighted to partner with Kenn, who is so committed to the Houston community and to ensuring that each patron has agency over their theatrical experience. I am so excited to come on board at such a pivotal moment for Stages and the arts as we welcome audiences back to our theaters. I can’t wait to get to know Houston and help grow the Stages family.”
“Congratulations to Katie Maltais as she assumes her new role as Managing Director at Stages,” said ACG Senior Vice President Douglas R. Clayton. “The board and staff should be commended for their dedication to the search process and active contributions to the final selection. As a thoughtful leader who has a passion for both humanity and data-driven strategies, we expect Ms. Maltais’ expertise and commitment will prove vital during this important period as Stages opens its new theater building for its first full post-pandemic season.”
August 2021