Staffing changes at Waterville Creates! promise new era of creative programming

Waterville Creates!, a local organization that connects artists and the public with cultural events and programs in the Waterville community, recently announced staffing changes for its upcoming fall programming.

After four years of working at the Waterville Opera House, Tony Gerow stepped down as its production manager and technical director. Responsible for the successful production of over 150 performances, Gerow made an incredible contribution to Waterville’s cultural scene while at the Opera House. He has accepted a position as the facilities director and lighting supervisor with the Penobscot Theater Company, which operates out of Bangor. In a press release from Waterville Creates, Gerow thanked his colleague and the public.

“To every cast member, backstage crew member, concert goer, dance studio, volunteer, and patron of the Opera House, I humbly thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your lives and to create with me,” Gerow said.

Liz Shapiro filled Gerow’s role on Sept. 13. With extensive theatrical experience, including a stint with the national tour of Riverdance, Shapiro brings a deep knowledge of lighting design, stage management, and production management to the Opera House.

Desiree DuBois will serve as the new education and coordination director for Waterville Creates!. A Skowhegan native, DuBois boasts her expertise in scenic painting, sculpting, and art proprietorship to Waterville. With Education and Outreach Manager Serena Sanborn, DuBois will direct and support all education and outreach programs of Waterville Creates!.

Yvonne Brown has returned to Ticonic Gallery + Studios as the studio’s clay coordinator. In October, Ticonic will reopen its clay studio to members and resume community art classes.

In an email conversation with The Colby Echo, Patricia King, Vice President of Waterville Creates!, discussed the importance of these staffing changes. King believes that the staff of the organization is a dedicated and experienced group.

“We have a great creative team at Waterville Creates! who are dedicated to creating arts experiences for all,” she said. “Each staff member brings a broad range of experiences and expertise as well as an unbridled enthusiasm for the visual arts, performing arts, independent film, theatrical productions, live music, arts education, and more.”

The addition of these staff members comes at an exciting time for Waterville Creates! As more people continue to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, the organization will begin to resume its pre-pandemic programming.

“We’re so pleased to be welcoming new and returning staff back to Waterville Creates! as we begin to build back our programming and events,” she said.

Throughout the pandemic, Waterville Creates! has discovered ways to keep the community safe while also providing high-quality creative programming.

“It’s been a constant challenge navigating the pandemic — but we’ve learned a lot from the experience,” she explained. “We’ve learned that we have a great capacity to pivot and respond to meet the needs of our audiences while ensuring safety protocols are in place,” King said.

In conjunction with CDC guidelines, Waterville Creates! has developed a series of transmission prevention protocols during its temporary closure.

“We also maximized the time that we were not open to the public to realize certain operational goals like a new shared ticketing system, a collaborative membership program, a combined website and branding strategy—under our usual circumstances, we might not have been able to tackle all of those initiatives while running a full slate of programs,” she said.

These events and programs will provide a safe, creative experience for members of the Waterville community.

“We will continue to utilize CDC guidelines and recommendations as our guide post for all events and programs at the Opera House, Railroad Square Cinema, and Ticonic Gallery + Studios. Safety for our staff, volunteers, and patrons is at the forefront of our thinking,” King said.

With the addition of these impressive staff members, Waterville Creates! events are must-not-miss events. Check out https://www.watervillecreates.org/ for a full list of scheduled events.

~ Matt Rocha `23