Cinnabar Theater welcomes Diane Dragone as Executive Director
Seasoned theater veteran and business woman to collaborate with Artistic Director Elly Lichenstein
PETALUMA, CA – As it celebrates over 40 years of presenting exquisite plays, musicals, operas and concerts for arts lovers in California’s Wine Country, Cinnabar Theater is setting the stage for an exciting future. Cinnabar’s board of trustees has announced the appointment of a full time executive director to lead the Sonoma County non-profit into a new decade delivering exceptional professional performing arts and arts education programs.
Diane Dragone joins Cinnabar Theater effective Oct 1 to work hand in hand with long serving Artistic Director Elly Lichenstein. Ms. Dragone brings to Cinnabar a wealth of knowledge and experience in business, along with an undying passion for the arts. As a long time Bay Area arts entrepreneur and presenter she is an avid advocate for the Arts and the vital role they play in our culture. Together she and Lichenstein will continue Cinnabar’s commitment to provide sophisticated shows for local audiences and irresistible arts education for young people in the community.
“I immediately recognized Diane could be for us,” said Lichenstein. “Her quick mind and her passion for the arts and arts education complement her very open demeanor and collaborative spirit. She’s fearless and joyful at the same time. And she recognizes the intense value of our work, and what it will take to support it. A hard worker!”
Ms. Dragone has a Masters in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco and for many years she operated a chain of retail music stores in San Francisco where Diane produced weekly concerts by local artists that were free to the public. Most recently Diane has consulted with numerous Bay Area not-for-profits including Peninsula Women’s Chorus, Living Jazz, Oakland Jazz Choir, and Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir where she managed development efforts and developed advertising, public relations, social media campaigns and formed strategic alliances.
“I am excited and thrilled to be become part of the Cinnabar family”, says Dragone. “I look forward to working with Elly, the Artistic Director; our professional staff; co-founder Jan Klebe; and all the volunteers. I love the opportunity to give more people the unique and magical theater experience that only comes in such an intimate setting. In addition, I am eager to connect with the Cinnabar audience along with members of the Petaluma community to raise the awareness of our singular ‘little theater on the hill’.”
Audiences have flocked to performances in this intimate setting since 1972, when Marvin and Jan Klebe established an arts center for the community. Along with their four sons, they transformed a charming 1908 schoolhouse into a jewel-box theater that has hosted successful shows for four decades.
“I am delighted to be able to turn the day to day operating responsibilities over to Diane, confident that she will be able to build on the strong footing that the theater now enjoys,” said Cinnabar board member and interim Executive Director Stephen Hamilton. “Diane joins the theater at a critical time in its life as it looks forward to celebrating its fiftieth season and beyond, bringing professional theater and first rate arts education programs to the entire community.”
Cinnabar Theater is located at 3333 Petaluma Boulevard North, just off Highway 101 and only minutes from historic downtown Petaluma. There’s ample parking up on the hill… and a friendly herd of goats grazing in the neighboring field. For more information on Cinnabar Theater, to purchase tickets or subscriptions for upcoming shows, or to make a tax-deductible donation in support of Cinnabar’s mission, call (707) 763-8920 or visit www.cinnabartheater.org.