New Executive Director Announced

The Board and Staff of the Folly are excited to announce that Rick Truman will be joining the Folly Theater as the new Executive Director starting in February 2022.  The following is the press release issued on January 4th, 2022.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact Kelly Dougherty, Marketing Manager, Folly Theater 816-768-6882 or kelly@follytheater.org

The Folly Theater announces the hire of new Executive Director

  Kansas City, Missouri (January 4, 2022) – The Folly Theater Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Rick Truman as Executive Director effective February 2022.   Mr. Truman comes to the Folly Theater after 18 years with Quality Hill Playhouse. In his time with Quality Hill, he has served as the Business Manager from 2003 to 2006, moving into the Managing Director role from 2007 to present. He has a BFA from Avila University and an MPA from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Bloch School of Business. We look forward to the future under his leadership.

 

Board president Sean Barnard thanked the Board Search Committee for their hard work and due diligence in finding a qualified candidate to lead the Folly Theater. “Led by Board Secretary Lyla Perrodin, the committee, made up of current and former board members, reviewed dozens of applicants and interviewed several candidates prior to presenting the full board with their unanimous recommendation. The Board is also very grateful to the staff for their participation in the selection process.”

 

In anticipation of his new role, Rick Truman shared his excitement, stating: “After so many years at the Quality Hill Playhouse, I will miss the lifelong friendships and relationships made, but this is a wonderful opportunity to work with an exceptional team and I’m honored to have been chosen to lead the Grand Lady of Twelfth Street into the future”.

 

In October of 2021, after over 15 years with the Folly, 11 of those as the Executive Director, Gale Tallis announced her retirement from the Folly effective on January 15, 2022.  Barnard added: “The Board and Staff are sincerely grateful for all that Gale has done for the Folly.  We all will miss her and we wish her a very happy retirement.  Rick will be joining us at a critical time as we continue to navigate the future during the COVID-19 pandemic and on the successful completion of Phase II of the 2020 capital campaign this year.”

 

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The Folly Theater is in its 122nd year, opening in 1900 as a burlesque and vaudeville theater. It is Kansas City’s oldest and most historic venue.  Facing the wrecking ball in the 1970s, the theater was saved by a group of philanthropists led by Joan Kent Dillon and William Deramus, III and was acquired by the Performing Arts Foundation of Kansas City.  The Folly produces and hosts over 160 shows a year and is described as “Kansas City’s Carnegie Hall.”

 

The Folly Theater is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, operating as a DBA under the Performing Arts Foundation of Kansas City.

 

  Folly Theater Press Release New Executive Director