Springfield Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor Ron Spigelman, who is finishing up his eighth and final season, has accepted a position with Springfield Little Theatre.
Starting May 1, Spigelman will succeed Kim Garwitz as director of development and marketing for the downtown nonprofit theater. Garwitz, who has held the position since May 2009, said she is stepping down because she and her husband are expecting a child. She noted that the move also would allow her to volunteer full time with groups such as Junior League of Springfield, of which she is a member.
Spigelman said taking a position with Springfield Little Theatre was a good fit and would allow him to continue promoting the arts in the community.
"SLT is an organization I've long been an admirer of even before I moved here," Spigelman said. "When I did some research on the arts, I thought Little Theatre was getting it right in terms of the way they interact with the community.
"I'm looking forward to this opportunity where I'm not actually under the gun in a performance but actually responsible for getting it to that stage."
As director of development and marketing for SLT, Spigelman will be tasked with coordinating corporate sponsorships and working with individual donors to help cover the costs associated with productions, working with the theater's graphic artists on marketing materials, speaking with the media and maintaining social media for the theater.
"I'm so excited to know that replacing me is someone as engrained in the arts community and the Springfield community who loves the arts as much as I love the arts and really wants to see Springfield Little Theatre continue to grow," Garwitz said.
She said she has been working with Spigelman to groom him for the position and ease the transition. Spigelman will report directly to SLT Executive Director Beth Domann.
Spigelman is coming on at the end of SLT's 77th season and will be involved with the theater's showings of "Red, White and Tuna," starting May 11, and "Rent," which kicks off June 8. The theater will open its 78th season Sept. 14 with "Les Misérables."
Spigelman's last classical concert with the Springfield Symphony is April 14, and his last concert is May 12.
The Springfield Symphony Board of Directors
has selected six finalists to audition to succeed Spigelman during the 2012-13 season. The finalists and their performance dates are Darko Butorac, Oct. 13; Andrés Franco, Sept. 22; Kyle Pickett, March 23; Marc Taddei, Nov. 3; Markand Thakar, Jan. 19, 2013; and Diane Wittry, April 27, 2013. Courtney Wendel, marketing manager for the symphony, said a vote will be taken after the season to select the next music director and conductor.
"I'm happy that I've had eight successful years with the symphony. I wish them all the best in their search for my replacement," said Spigelman, who said he'll continue to do guest conducting around the country at different times of the year. "I feel like this is happy trails, not goodbye."
