Youngstown, OH — On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, the Board of Directors of The Youngstown Playhouse entered into a management partnership agreement with the Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium Association (HHSAA). The agreement details that the HHSAA will provide all services necessary to support the operations of The Youngstown Playhouse facility, organization, and programming. The partnership will continue to expand upon the almost 100 year legacy of The Youngstown Playhouse, one of the oldest ongoing community theatres in the country.

The agreement will further grow the partnership that started with the 2021 production of The Color Purple and continued with shared box office services. With oversight provided by The Youngstown Playhouse Board of Directors, the staff of the HHSAA will furnish administrative, marketing, development, box office, artistic, production, operational and facility management support. Chief Executive and Operating Officer of the Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium Association, Matt Pagac said, “Sharing resources and services amongst similar non-profit organizations has been a focus of the Board and staff of the Henry H. Stambaugh Association for a number of years. The Youngstown Playhouse, together with Stambaugh Auditorium and the DeYor Performing Arts Center, three iconic Youngstown arts and events facilities, are now managed and operated together. This further grows the partnership’s ability to produce opportunities featuring local performing arts that include The Youngstown Playhouse, the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, Opera Western Reserve, and the Stambaugh Youth Concert Band.”

The adoption of the agreement between The Youngstown Playhouse and the Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium Association is partly in response to the departure of recent Youngstown Playhouse leadership, Executive Director Kayla Boye and Artistic Director Joshua William Green, who shepherded the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic and its return to live performances. Matt Pagac stated, “The structure that has been built by the work of Kayla and Joshua provides many opportunities to continue the success seen with The Youngstown Playhouse during their time leading the organization.” Playhouse Board President, Dr. John Cox, said, “Arts collaboration is necessary in the post-pandemic theatre world. The Playhouse has never been in a better position. We knew having the talents of Kayla and Joshua would be short-term due to the pandemic and their locations. We were looking for local expertise to help us continue the momentum and growth they initiated. This partnership ensures that we will have the staffing and support we need to continue to produce top-quality theatre for the community. The possibilities are endless and we are excited for what the future holds.”