Khady Kamara, currently the managing director of Arena Stage, has been appointed executive director of Second Stage.
Kamara comes to Second Stage after working at Arena Stage for 19 years. In her role as managing director, she is responsible for Arena’s $19 million earned and contributed income streams and overseeing building operation. She has also focused on community relations and bringing new audiences to Arena Stage.
“During these unprecedented times, we have a unique opportunity to rebuild and reimagine our next chapter while ensuring that Second Stage remains an integral part of the New York theater community at large. I’ve advocated for a focused lens on diversity, inclusion and social justice awareness throughout my 22-year career, and I look forward to being an authentic voice as part of a cultural institution that is actively working to uphold these values,” Kamara said in a press release.
She will begin her Second Stage role part-time on Sept. 14 and transition to full time on Jan. 4, 2021.
Andrew Hamingson has been serving as interim executive director of Second Stage,
Kamara also serves as Adjunct Faculty for the Arts Management Program at George Mason University, EDI Co-Chair of the League of Resident Theaters and a member of the Board of Directors of Theatre Washington.
“Khady’s strong leadership abilities and her passionate commitment to the work of living American writers make her the ideal new Executive Director for Second Stage,” Carole Rothman, president and artistic director of Second Stage, said in the press release. “It’s a challenging time for theater and I am impressed with Khady’s fierce determination to move the institution forward as we start producing again.”
The Second Stage 2020-2021 Broadway season includes “Take Me Out,” scheduled to begin performances in March 2021, and a new play by Lynn Nottage, scheduled to begin performances in fall 2021.
