Drew Taylor named executive director of F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre
From a press release:
Drew Taylor has been announced as the new executive director of the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre. He joined the Kirby Center in June of 2002 and previously served as the downtown venue’s director of operations prior to being named managing director in October of 2019.
Before joining the Kirby Center team, Taylor worked with the General Cinema Corporation throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. He is a graduate of Leadership Wilkes-Barre and remains active with the organization as a member of their advisory council. While at the Kirby Center, he has dedicated much of his time and energy to keeping the building in the beautiful condition the community knows and loves. Most notably during the 20th anniversary major lobby renovation project in 2006, he steered all the work, restoring the lobbies to their 1938 glamour.
Taylor also led the organization through the past year when the doors were shuttered.
“When I was named managing director in late 2019, I never expected to face the challenges presented by the pandemic – no one did. But our staff and board came together and faced the obstacles head on,” Taylor said.
“With the help of various funding opportunities, the support of our community, and with the determination to keep the center relevant, we now begin with our resurgence to get back to what we do best… being at the heart of the arts and entertainment!”
The F.M. Kirby Center Board of Directors unanimously voted to name Taylor the executive director. The theater’s staff, board, and donors are looking forward to reopening the doors this summer under his leadership.
Over the past few weeks, the Kirby Center announced that stand-up comedians Theo Von and Jo Koy will be performing on Oct. 9 and Oct. 21, respectively, and Food Network star Alton Brown will return to the venue on Feb. 25, 2022.
Lead photo by Rich Howells/NEPA Scene
