Curtline: Keith Marks visits The Colonial Theatre in Keene Wednesday morning, where he will take over as executive director on Jan. 6. (Hannah Schroeder/Sentinel Staff)
The Colonial Performing Arts Center in Keene has named a new executive director. Keith Marks, the director of Next Stage Arts in Putney, Vt., will step into the role effective Jan. 6 after a nationwide search by The Colonial's board of directors.
A seasoned arts administrator, Marks has transformed Next Stage into a vibrant and respected cultural hub, according to a news release from The Colonial. During his five-year tenure at Next Stage, he's showcased a broad array of ethnic, racial and cultural programming, supported by strong relationships with artists from New York, Boston and other urban areas.
"After several rounds of interviews, the recommendations from the staff and search committee to hire Keith were unanimous," said Emily Benson, vice chair of The Colonial board, in the release. "We are thrilled that he said yes and are confident he is the right leader for The Colonial."
Marks is the sixth person to lead The Colonial in its 30-year history as a nonprofit. Alec Doyle, the former executive director, stepped down from the role March 26 after serving nearly two decades.
Julianne Gadoury was appointed interim executive director in May, per previous Sentinel reporting. Gadoury is now the executive director of 603 Forward and The Forward Foundation, two statewide nonprofits focused on civic engagement, according to an August news release.
Collaboration and community engagement are at the heart of Marks' work, shown through his partnership with area organizations and his spearheading of numerous creative initiatives as the director of Next Stage, Monday's news release said. One of these endeavors was "Arts Unite Windham," a program produced in partnership with Brattleboro Community Television and seven area venues at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Designed as a showcase of the area's arts scene — and a demonstration of the creativity and determination of the organizations involved — the shows were live-streamed to raise awareness and funds for The Root Social Justice Center and the Windham County chapter of the NAACP, according to reporting from The Commons.
The Colonial Performing Arts Center offers a diverse array of performances, educational programs and community events between two venues in downtown Keene. The Colonial Theatre opened in 1924 as a premiere performing arts venue at the height of vaudeville films and live performances. Meanwhile, The Showroom is a smaller, multipurpose venue that opened in 2021 and is tailored for rising local artists and educational programming.
Marks is alsoco-president of the New England Arts Presenters and has active participation on various boards, including the Southeastern Vermont Development Strategy and the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont.
"The arts have always been a portal for me, a way to explore different worlds and perspectives," Marks, of Putney, said via email. "... There’s an ecosystem beneath the surface of the arts world, and being a genuine and thoughtful presenter allows me to cultivate strong, enduring friendships. The most rewarding part of my work is seeing a room full of people leave an event uplifted and transformed."
Marks said he never set out to become an arts administrator. Rather, it evolved over time. Growing up in Florida, music became his gateway to broader horizons.
"Punk, ska, and hip-hop, in particular, opened my eyes to societal injustices and expanded my worldview," he said. "Those genres fueled my curiosity and inspired transformations I couldn’t have imagined."
In college at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Marks noticed his friends would pour their hearts into creating an album, only to neglect promoting it.
"It frustrated me, so I stepped in to help," he said. That initial effort led to writing for the school newspaper, starting a booking and production company and eventually launching a record label. He then spent his 20s living abroad: one year in Europe, Asia for four, and the Middle East for 2½.
"I like learning, I like growing, and early on I learned travel was the best way to get an education," he said. Marks noted that his career trajectory has been partly momentum, partly deep-seated passion.
"I’ve realized I have a knack for rallying people, curating meaningful experiences," he said. "... The arts connect people across diverse backgrounds and challenge us to grow. While the work is demanding, it’s profoundly rewarding."
As he transitions into the new role at The Colonial, Marks said his first priority is to listen and learn.
"I don’t claim to have all the answers, and I believe the path forward emerges by attuning to the ideas and needs of the community," he said. "By listening, patterns and opportunities begin to emerge, and that’s when innovation and collaboration can take root."
Marks is eager to bring his network of artists to this area, while also building new relationships and partnerships with local organizations and individuals.
"My greatest joy in the arts comes from building relationships with artists, agents, and collaborators," he said. "Curating for a community is incredibly fulfilling, especially knowing that these experiences might inspire someone to chart a new direction in life."
James Rinker can be reached at 603-355-8569, or jrinker@keenesentinel.com.
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