Elizabeth Doran will take over leadership of San Diego Theatres, the nonprofit corporation that manages the historic Balboa Theatre and the large Civic Theatre.
Doran, who comes from the Pasadena Playhouse, is replacing CEO Donald Telford, who is retiring after 40 years.
“We are thrilled to have Elizabeth join San Diego Theatres. Her passion for the arts is palpable, and her strong executive experience will lead us into the next phase of what promises to be a thriving future for the arts in San Diego,” said Faye Wilson, chair of the San Diego Theatres board of directors in a press release.
One of Doran’s responsibilities will be raising more than $50 million to renovate the Civic Theatre.
While arts organizations have lamented a shrinking donor base, she doesn’t see the problem.
"There are new people coming every day to San Diego," said Doran who begins her post May 1. "To say that everyone is tapped out is saying that you’re not looking at the enormous diversity of communities that are in San Diego and Tijuana."
Doran will decide on programming for the two theaters and try to spark redevelopment in the area of the C Street corridor downtown by working with various partners.
Doran was selected following a nationwide search that included 150 potential candidates. She has 20 years of executive experience in the arts, including at the La Jolla Playhouse.
