We are pleased to announce the appointment of Kayla Gordon to the newly created position of AJT Executive Director. The growth in our organization – in both membership and scope of services - has necessitated the introduction of a part-time staff person to handle the many administrative, organizational and developmental tasks that heretofore have been carried out solely by an all-volunteer Executive Board.

Many of you probably already know Kayla from her years as an AJT member. She served for over a decade as Artistic Director of Winnipeg Jewish Theatre, and recently left that position to pursue other artistic challenges. Her new career as a freelance director and artist allows her the flexibility to successfully manage the Association for Jewish Theatre.

Kayla had this to say about the Association for Jewish Theatre and her new position:

After over 10 years as Artistic Director with Winnipeg Jewish Theatre, Kayla Gordon has decided to pursue new challenges.  Aside from working as a free-lance director, Kayla will take over the newly formed position of Executive Director for The Association or Jewish Theatre. As Artistic Director of a Jewish theatre, Kayla said,

I don't think a moment went by when I wasn't calling or emailing someone in the association for resources, ideas and support. AJT has been my lifeline and I have been lucky to share the best of Jewish theatre with my colleagues at AJT. Many of the plays we produced at WJT were written by AJT members and I have developed life-long friendships with many of our members.
 
Now as the Executive Director I feel privileged that I will be able to give back to AJT what I needed when I was working hard to build a theatre. We all share a belief in the power of Jewish Theatre. Through Jewish Theatre AJT members work hard to honor the very centre of humanity, our collective ability to feel and to communicate with our communities locally and globally. I am very proud of what we accomplish at AJT and I am looking forward to continue to see us grow internationally. I am especially excited about the opportunity to work with Warren, our colleague at the Jewish Theatre of Vienna to make this year's conference in March one of our most exciting events to date. Hope to see you all there!
Says Mira Hirsch, president of AJT, "We are extremely fortunate to have Kayla at the helm of the Association for Jewish Theatre. Her passion for AJT, her knowledge of the Jewish Theatre world and her vast skill set will undoubtedly serve us all well — as an organization and as individuals."

Please welcome Kayla in her new role with AJT!