Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County names Wilsterman as new executive director

Kait Gallagher Wilsterman has been named executive director of The Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County. The announcement was made during the theater’s annual meeting last weekend.

Wilsterman said the new position will focus on community outreach, day-to-day functions and support of theater leadership.

“The executive director serves as the central administrative and operational leader of the theatre, and is responsible for ensuring the day-to-day functioning, strategic alignment, and community presence of the organization,” she said. “I will be acting as the liaison among the board, committee chairs, volunteers and external stakeholders.”

Wilsterman graduated cum laude from Kent State University at Tuscarawas with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in theatre, then went on to earn a master’s degree in business administration in marketing and advanced management from Champlain College. She spent 10 years working in performance venues as a stage manager and theatre technician in Athens and New Philadelphia.

She is a former vice president of the Tuscarawas County Public Library System, where she chaired the personnel committee, and has been involved with the Little Theatre for 21 years. She has volunteered as chair of marketing, ushers and social media; directed, acted, stage managed and served on crew for multiple productions. Since 2015 she has directed the annual Community Variety Show and has served as board secretary for the past 13 years. Wilsterman is also a 2023 graduate of the Leadership Tuscarawas Program.

“Two of my favorite volunteer roles are appearing as Mrs. Claus at the annual Christmas in the Park event, and serving as the presenter coordinator for the annual Leaders of Tomorrow Summit,” Wilsterman said.

Wilsterman is employed by TuscoMFG in Gnadenhutten as marketing and community relations manager. She lives in New Philadelphia with her husband, Andrew, their six-year-old daughter, Eliza, and the family’s two cats.

Other business

The board also announced that the Marquee Committee has chosen Laura Cotton as this year’s award winner. A dinner in her honor will be held in November.

Three new trustees — Chelsea and Seth Rhodes and David Rutter — were elected to replace retiring members Matt Spies, Shavonne McMillan and Jade Boffo. Remaining trustees include Chester Boffo, Haley Kimble, Josie McCutcheon and Sheila Samson-Witt.

Newly elected officers for the year are April Bonvechio, president; Garret Davis, vice president; Spies, secretary; and Machelle Miller, treasurer.

The board also voted to expand its size from nine members to 12. For the next three years, theater members will elect four new trustees each year rather than three. Members may be re-elected after one term, but after a second term must take a one-year break before running again.

Facility and governance updates

Members discussed capital improvements to satisfy Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Tentative plans include extending the front lobby, adding bathrooms, paving the parking lot and making the theater accessible from a single entrance.

It was also announced that proposed constitutional changes must be approved by the membership. All theater members are encouraged to review the proposal and attend the Oct. 14 board meeting to discuss and vote on the changes.