Staff Report

Fortune
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Fortune-Headshot-Color1.jpgFortune

NEWBERRY — Molly Fortune, a former director on the executive staff of the Fox Theater in Atlanta, has been named executive director of the Newberry Opera House after an extensive national search. She will be only the second executive director in NOH’s history.

Fortune served as the Restoration and Operations Director for the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Ga., for 15 years. In her tenure with the Fox she was instrumental in developing and implementing strategies focused on the guest experience through authentic preservation of the historic landmark.

“The Fox and The Newberry Opera House are more similar than first glance would allow,” Fortune said. “They are vibrant economic engines, repositories for memories, launching grounds for dreams and empowerment tools to change the world. They both think beyond their four walls and strive to touch, cultivate and challenge the character of those who walk the halls.”

She was the co-founder of the Fox Theatre Institute, an outreach program that assists historic theatres in Georgia with preservation expertise as well as operational/booking knowledge. Through this program she was able to further develop and hone the guest experience at the Fox for staff, performers and ticket buyers through lessons learned from other venues.

Fortune has been active in many national organizations including the board of the League of Historic American Theaters, on which she currently serves.

“Molly is the perfect visionary leader for this new phase of the Opera House and for Newberry,” said Phil Spotts, chairman of the board of the NOH.