JONESBOROUGH REPERTORY THEATRE

The search has ended. Opera Memphis' Jonathan McCarter will soon take the reigns as Jonesborough Repertory Theatre's new artistic director.

More than 30 applications from across the country were received. The JRT's board of directors met several times over the past couple months to review the applications and interview candidates. The list was narrowed down to eight people four from the area and the other four from Memphis, Colorado, Ohio and Washington.

McCarter was unanimously chosen by the board and the Jonesborough Board of Mayor and Aldermen. He will begin work on Nov. 9.

McCarter began his theater career when he was in high school.

"I fell in love with it and I've been doing it ever since," he said.

In 2004, he received a bachelor of fine arts in theater performance from the University of Memphis. His training and experience include acting, directing, producing, playwriting, teaching and stage management.

For the past two years he has been director of education and outreach for Opera Memphis. There he was responsible for the oversight of all outreach programs, the coordination of opera conservatories, concerts and educational tours. He also was responsible for curriculum development and administered programs that reach 30,000 people a year.

During the past seven years McCarter has been teaching and directing children's theater in the Memphis community. He spent five years writing and directing an annual youth show for the Memphis Jewish Community Center and has taught classes all over the Memphis area.

McCarter grew up in the small town of Millington and said he is looking forward to returning to that small community environment.

"When I heard about this it was something that I jumped on ... I'm really excited about getting back into a more embracing community."

JRT's former artistic director, Kathleen Buttolph, left the theater last month. She played a large role in making the theater what it is today. Since 2003 she was involved in every level of the theater, from building and painting sets to acting, directing, marketing and doing administrative work.

McCarter said he has been  in contact with Buttolph almost every day in an effort to keep up with what is going on within the theater.

"I'm hoping to help stay on point with their mission and keep tried and true with the values they hold tight."

Article  courtesy of johnsoncitypress.com