The Mabel Tainter’s (kick ass) executive director Gary Schuster is stepping down to pursue studies at UW-Stout. Schuster did some truly phenomenal work over there. He started as the “communications manager” in 2001 and started directing the whole sh-bang in 2005. He took the theater’s events calendar from 13 to 32 performances a year, mixing local and regional artists with national touring acts. He also presided over the Tainter’s gigantic and recently completed restoration/remodeling project. He even taught youth art classes.

Honesty, the man engaged the Chippewa Valley head-on with everything good and exciting about community arts and the whole region is better for it. The board will be announcing an intern director before he leaves (on June 5).

Good luck, Gary!