Dallas, September 20, 2025
News Summary
Dallas Children’s Theater has appointed Michael Meadows as the interim executive director, succeeding Samantha Turner, who will now serve as COO. Meadows, a veteran in the nonprofit sector with nearly four decades of experience, will oversee operations and strategy during this leadership transition. DCT is gearing up for its 42nd season featuring a premier holiday show by Mo Willems. Meadows aims to enhance community engagement and further develop future generations of theatergoers, ensuring the organization’s cultural impact continues.
Dallas — Michael Meadows has been named interim executive director of Dallas Children’s Theater (DCT), succeeding Samantha Turner. Samantha Turner will transition to the role of chief operating officer to ensure a smooth leadership change. The leadership move takes place as DCT prepares to open its 42nd season and continues its year-round arts education and community programs.
Key appointment and leadership transition
The interim appointment places a veteran nonprofit executive at the helm during a planned organizational transition. Meadows has nearly four decades of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. His responsibilities as interim executive director will include operational oversight, fundraising engagement, and strategic planning while the organization and board continue their search for a permanent executive director.
Experience and previous roles
Meadows brings a long record of institutional leadership to DCT. He previously served as president and CEO of the Dallas Zoological Society, leading the Dallas Zoo’s transformation into a premier zoological park. He has also held leadership roles at the Southwestern Medical Foundation and The University of Texas at Dallas. Meadows has a background in performing arts and is a former board member of TACA (The Arts Community Alliance).
Board perspective and organizational priorities
Leah Mora, president of the DCT board, praised Meadows for his understanding of the Dallas philanthropic landscape and strategic leadership skills. Meadows emphasized the importance of cultivating the next generation of theatergoers and the role of DCT in shaping the city’s cultural landscape.
Season programming and artistic leadership
DCT will begin its 42nd season with a co-commissioned world premiere holiday show by Mo Willems titled “The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!” In addition to production programming, the company cited arts education and community enrichment as central to upcoming plans. Emily Ernst is the newly appointed Artistic Director of DCT.
Community impact and reach
DCT serves over 90,000 young people and families annually through professional productions, arts education, and community enrichment initiatives. The organization reported ongoing school and family outreach programs designed to expand access to theater for children across the region.
Production staffing and submission details
Regarding staffing for upcoming productions, all stage managerial positions for “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” have been filled, but future submissions are sought for Equity Stage Managers. Submissions for potential future roles must be received by October 13, 2025, by 5:00 PM CT. The weekly minimum for Equity Stage Managers is $547, and for Assistant Stage Managers, it is $482 (ref. TYA). The production schedule includes a first rehearsal slated for December 29, 2025, with an opening date of January 22, 2026, and a closing date of March 5, 2026.
How to submit and contact
All inquiries for future consideration can be submitted to [email protected], with attention to the Production Manager.
Background context
Dallas Children’s Theater has operated for decades as a nonprofit theater focused on young audiences. The leadership changes follow a model in which an internal transition pairs a continuing senior leader with an interim executive to preserve institutional knowledge and maintain program continuity. Meadows’ combination of nonprofit management experience and arts-sector ties is presented by the board as aligning with DCT’s mission and its upcoming season priorities.
FAQ
Who has been named interim executive director of Dallas Children’s Theater?
Michael Meadows has been named interim executive director of Dallas Children’s Theater (DCT), succeeding Samantha Turner.
What will Samantha Turner’s new role be?
Samantha Turner will transition to the role of chief operating officer to ensure a smooth leadership change.
How much nonprofit experience does Meadows have?
Meadows has nearly four decades of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.
What notable prior roles has Meadows held?
He previously served as president and CEO of the Dallas Zoological Society, leading the Dallas Zoo’s transformation into a premier zoological park.
Who praised Meadows and for what reasons?
Leah Mora, president of the DCT board, praised Meadows for his understanding of the Dallas philanthropic landscape and strategic leadership skills.
What is the holiday show for DCT’s 42nd season?
DCT will begin its 42nd season with a co-commissioned world premiere holiday show by Mo Willems titled “The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!”
Who is the new Artistic Director?
Emily Ernst is the newly appointed Artistic Director of DCT.
How many people does DCT serve annually?
DCT serves over 90,000 young people and families annually through professional productions, arts education, and community enrichment initiatives.
What is Meadows’ connection to the performing arts community?
Meadows has a background in performing arts and is a former board member of TACA (The Arts Community Alliance).
Are stage manager roles available for “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”?
All stage managerial positions for “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” have been filled, but future submissions are sought for Equity Stage Managers.
What is the submission deadline for future roles?
Submissions for potential future roles must be received by October 13, 2025, by 5:00 PM CT.
What are the weekly minimums for stage managers?
The weekly minimum for Equity Stage Managers is $547, and for Assistant Stage Managers, it is $482 (ref. TYA).
When are the first rehearsal and performance dates for “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”?
The first rehearsal for “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is slated for December 29, 2025, with an opening date of January 22, 2026, and a closing date of March 5, 2026.
Where should inquiries be sent?
All inquiries for future consideration can be submitted to [email protected], with attention to the Production Manager.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Interim executive director | Michael Meadows has been named interim executive director of Dallas Children’s Theater (DCT), succeeding Samantha Turner. |
| Transitioned role | Samantha Turner will transition to the role of chief operating officer to ensure a smooth leadership change. |
| Experience | Meadows has nearly four decades of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. |
| Season opener | DCT will begin its 42nd season with a co-commissioned world premiere holiday show by Mo Willems titled “The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!” |
| Artistic Director | Emily Ernst is the newly appointed Artistic Director of DCT. |
| Community reach | DCT serves over 90,000 young people and families annually through professional productions, arts education, and community enrichment initiatives. |
| Stage manager submissions | Submissions for potential future roles must be received by October 13, 2025, by 5:00 PM CT. All inquiries for future consideration can be submitted to [email protected], with attention to the Production Manager. |
| Compensation minimums | The weekly minimum for Equity Stage Managers is $547, and for Assistant Stage Managers, it is $482 (ref. TYA). |
| Production dates for “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” | The first rehearsal for “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is slated for December 29, 2025, with an opening date of January 22, 2026, and a closing date of March 5, 2026. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Verdigris Ensemble Launches 9th Season with Fundraising Goals
Michael Meadows Appointed Interim Director of Dallas Children’s Theater
Michael Meadows Named Interim Executive Director of DCT
Dallas Children’s Theatre Announces Auditions for Flat Stanley
Additional Resources
- Dallas Innovates
- My Sweet Charity
- Broadway World
- Advocate Magazine
- CT Insider
- Wikipedia: Theatre
- Google Search: Theatre management
- Google Scholar: children’s theater
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Theater
- Google News: children’s theater
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