The Depot Theater Company Hires Artistic Director

After many months of financial assessment and evaluation and a successful Christmas show, the Depot Theater Company board of directors is taking steps to move the company forward not just in this season, but into the future.

The board voted at their Thursday meeting to hire Christopher King as the new Artistic Director. A Kansas native, King brings many years of theater experience to the stage, having run his own theater companies in Kansas City, Philadelphia, and New York City.

“We’re committed to continuing a strong tradition of volunteerism which has allowed us to resume a season as we move toward recovery.  Christopher King shares that commitment. It has been gratifying to welcome new faces to share the effort with the long-time volunteers who have set very high standards for dedication and effort,” said board president Katie Ruthie.

King joined the theater company in September as volunteer to help establish a season of shows after the theater temporarily closed in August due to a lack of funds. King directed the Christmas show, A Laura Ingall’s Wilder Christmas, which brought one of the largest crowds the theater has seen in several years. He is currently directing the Miracle Worker which plays for the next two weekends, and has been receiving excellent reviews.

At the meeting King presented his plans for the next season which will begin in the fall of 2020

“I look forward to working with all the incredibly talented people at the Depot to bring top notch theater performances to our mainstage and to create new avenues for performance and opportunities for a wide array of voices to be heard,” said King.

The next show at the Depot Theater Company is Children of Eden, auditions took place a few weeks ago and rehearsals begin in a couple of weeks.

The Depot Theater Company board of directors also welcomed new board members at the Thursday meeting. 

Mike Salem, Nancy Sapp, Greta Clark, and Dr. Glendon Forgey joined the board which includes Katie Ruthi, Josh Roesener, Ila Siders, and Barbara Straight. 

Tickets are still available for the remaining 6 performances of the Miracle Worker, an inspirational story for the entire family. Reserve at depottheaterco.com or call 620-225-1001.