JRT gets new artistic director

The Jonesborough Repertory Theatre has a new leader.
At a meeting last week, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved removing the word “interim” from Christy Vance’s title to make her the JRT’s permanent artistic director.
Vance had been temporarily filling the role since November after the town hired Carmen Mandley, who had to postpone her move to Jonesborough due to unexpected health problems.
Mandley has since told town staff her medical condition is serious enough that she will no longer be able to move from her home in Massachusetts to take the artistic director position.
After learning of Mandley’s decision, the JRT Board voted unanimously to recommend the BMA hire Vance permanently for the role.
In their recommendation to the BMA, members of the JRT Board said Vance has already had a “tremendously positive impact” on the theater’s operation.
The first show under Vance’s guidance, “Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” generated more than $9,000 in revenue, according to reports.
Vance will get a bump in pay from her $1,500 monthly stipend to $2,000 per month. She will also receive 25 percent of net profits from productions.
Members of the BMA unanimously approved the recommendation to hire Vance.
In the absence of a permanent director, an assistant had been being paid $500 per month to help Vance. That position, however, was eliminated.