New York, NY – September 10, 2024 – Opening Act, a leading theatre education nonprofit organization, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Alexander Santiago-Jirau as its new Executive Director, starting September 23, 2024.
Alexander Santiago-Jirau brings his wealth of experience to Opening Act’s work of enriching the lives of New York City youth through theatre education. Before accepting this position, he was Director of Education and Community Engagement at New York Theatre Workshop, where he played a key role in expanding programming and deepening partnerships. His profound understanding of theater’s transformative power is exemplified by his involvement with Theatre of the Oppressed, and his commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable spaces for young people is central to his service as Vice Chair of the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable.
“Alex immediately impressed our Search Committee with his deep understanding of theatre education and how that empowers young people, particularly those from underserved communities,” said Jamie Trowbridge, Chair of the Opening Act Board of Directors. “His compassion and thoughtful management approach and his desire to expand Opening Act’s presence in the arts education space in New York City (and beyond) make him the ideal person to lead our organization into its next phase. We are delighted that he is joining our amazing team.”
In his new role as Executive Director, Alex will oversee Opening Act’s strategic planning, program development, and fundraising. He will lead the Opening Act community in advancing its mission, deepening its impact, and expanding its reach. Alex brings with him a proven track record for this kind of work, and a passionate understanding of its importance and urgency.
“Theater builds community, deepens empathy, and helps us imagine and create the world we want to live in,” says Alex. “In an increasingly divided world, Opening Act’s mission to close the arts education gap by centering students’ voices through inclusive theater education is more vital than ever. As it enters its 25th year of impactful programming, I am honored to join this dedicated community of staff, teaching artists, artistic advisors, board members, and supporters in empowering students to shape a more inclusive and equitable future.”
For more information about Opening Act and its programs, please visit www.openingact.org and follow @openingactny on Instagram and Facebook.