Shelbyville, KY (April 3, 2024) — Cheryl Van Stockum, the longtime executive director of the Shelby County Community Theatre, has announced her retirement. Van Stockum, who has served as the non-profit theatre’s executive director since 2017, will retire effective June 30. Before serving as the theatre’s first formal executive director, she served several terms on the theatre’s Board of Directors, including multiple stints as the Board’s president.
“In 2017, SCCT courageously took steps to create the executive director position, and I remain honored and grateful that leap of faith entrusted me with the role. It’s been a fun, challenging run. I’ve gained more than I’ve given and learned more than I’ve served,” said Van Stockum. “My most satisfying accomplishment? People have fallen in love with live theatre. Patrons, performers, sponsors, and volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels want to learn, support, and take advantage of the many opportunities SCCT affords. And I am not leaving—merely handing the book to the next lover of The Gem. SCCT is my community, my people, my tribe, and all who serve to sustain and shape me into the best version of me. I am looking forward to expanding my travels and gardens, checking off a list of hiking trails, and always asking, ‘What story needs to be told with my lens, my pen, and through deep, rich characters on the stage?’”
Key milestones of Van Stockum’s tenure include:
- Overseeing dozens of successful productions as executive producer, including SCCT’s award-winning productions of 9 to 5 and Frankenstein
- Establishment of the SCCT Academy, an unparalleled theatre education program teaching every aspect of theatre from acting to stage management to directing to more than 1,000 students since its inception
- Launching SCCT’s modern, 21st-century online reservation system and strengthening the theatre’s digital presence
- Improving the safety and comfort of SCCT through continual structural updates, including installation of new seating for improved sightlines and safety, paint and flooring updates, and many more behind-the-scenes updates
- Establishment of dozens of outreach opportunities to ensure SCCT reaches the underserved in the Shelby County community, including the development of a scholarship fund for SCCT Academy courses
- Guiding SCCT through the COVID-19 pandemic, including overseeing the successful pivot to virtual programming and the safe return to in-person theatre
- Development and retention of dedicated financial supporters, sponsors, and grant funders
- Bringing SCCT to a new level of financial solvency and leaving SCCT debt-free
“We are incredibly grateful for Cheryl’s steady hand and expert leadership of SCCT as executive director over the last seven years,” said Sacha Powers, president of the SCCT Board of Directors. “Cheryl has capably led the Theatre to a new level, and it has been our pleasure to work with her on these many accomplishments. The Board will be sad to see her go and wishes her the best in her retirement.”
SCCT will begin accepting applications for the executive director position in the coming weeks. More details will be available soon on the theatre’s website at www.shelbytheatre.org.
About SCCT — Established in 1977, the Shelby County Community Theatre is a vibrant hub for the performing arts, providing a platform for local talent and fostering a sense of community through the transformative power of theater. Nestled in the heart of Shelbyville’s historic downtown, SCCT has a rich history of delivering high-quality productions that cater to diverse audiences. SCCT’s mission of providing opportunities for involvement in the arts is found in the core of its practice. Through thought-provoking dramas, lighthearted comedies, and classic favorites, SCCT strives to create an inclusive space where individuals of all ages and backgrounds can come together to experience the magic of live performance. SCCT invites you to connect on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ShelbyTheatre.org) and Instagram (@therealscctheatre) and to learn more about SCCT on its website, www.shelbytheatre.org.
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Media contact: Mason Warren | (502) 321-9975 or [email protected]
