Managing Director Announcement

Theatre Charlotte’s staff is growing! We are thrilled to announce the hiring of Managing Director, Scot PJ MacDonald.

The Managing Director is a new position created to work alongside our current Artistic Director, Chris Timmons. As Managing Director, Scot will focus on overall business and operational management as well as fundraising and development. The addition of this position allows Chris to turn his focus back to our productions, overseeing the creative and artistic vision as Artistic Director. Chris is optimistic that this dual leadership model will position Theatre Charlotte for the future. He said, “I’m looking forward to being able to give my full attention to the entire artistic experience, continue to build our programming, and support the local theatre community.”

Chris has been at Theatre Charlotte since 2007 when he began as Technical Director and then moved into the role of Associate Artistic Director. Chris became Acting Executive Director after Ron Law’s retirement in 2021. Since taking on this role, Chris led Theatre Charlotte’s renaissance and growth. In addition to overseeing the restoration of our theatre after the 2020 fire, Chris successfully brought productions on the road for Season 94 and ushered in our Grand Reopening earlier this year to sold out audiences. His artistic vision brought audience favorites like Something Rotten and Misery to the stage as well as equally outstanding productions of newer works like Detroit ’67 and I and You.

Diana Wakefield was President of the Theatre Charlotte Board of Directors during the majority of Chris’s time as Acting Executive Director and she served as the chair of the Managing Director Search Committee. In reflecting upon this change, Diana said, “We are grateful for the leadership, commitment, and determination that Chris put into the position of Acting Executive Director. And we cannot wait to see the next level excellence his leadership will provide as he has the opportunity to focus on our artistic product. I am also proud of the efforts of our search committee who understood the necessity of finding just the right person for the Managing Director position. After a thorough and careful search, we are thrilled that we found Scot and confident that he will be an asset to this historic organization.”

Scot comes to Theatre Charlotte with a wealth of experience. Falling in love with the theatre and musical performance as a child, Scot has pursued opportunities to be on stage since kindergarten.  In college, he found a passion for directing and administration, and oddly enough, accounting. During his time at Towson University, Scot also discovered a deep love of non-profits and the gaps they fill in our communities. Working as an administrator and a grant writer, he learned the ropes of fundraising and put those skills to good use throughout his career. Working many different paths from administrative and management, to banking and customer service, Scot found his way from Maryland back to his roots in Indiana. In Northwest Indiana he discovered a network of community theatres and knew he had found something special. Working particularly with Memorial Opera House, Scot served as a volunteer for several years before joining the staff as Box Office Manager, then Artistic Director and most recently Executive Director. His love of people, fundraising, and theatre were deepened and continued to be refined as he built a very strong staff and foundation, as well as rapport with patrons and the community at large.  Scot also enjoys volunteering in many other capacities, including serving as the Treasurer for American Association of Community Theatre, and a Board Member at Large for Urban League. He is excited to bring his skills and passion to Theatre Charlotte, put his heart and best efforts forth as Managing Director, and help his wonderful new home theatre thrive. 

When asked about this new position, Scot said, “I am thrilled to be joining the incredibly talented team of Theatre Charlotte, producing some of the most exciting work relevant to all residents of Charlotte and the metro area. The team's commitment to the mission is clear and I look forward to working with the staff, board and volunteers to welcome a new and exciting era for Theatre Charlotte. I am honored to be given the chance to contribute to this wonderful organization.”

The rest of the Theatre Charlotte staff will continue in their roles – Nancy Scala Wilson as Director of Business and Audience Services, Jackie Timmons as Director of Marketing and Development, and Chris Morgan as Technical Director.

Scot will begin in this position on August 15th. Welcome to the Theatre Charlotte family, Scot!