The Board of Directors of Steel River Playhouse has appointed Alec Lee Williams as its Executive Director.
Before joining Steel River Playhouse, Williams was the Managing Director at EgoPo Classic Theater in Philadelphia, where he oversaw finance, fundraising, branding/marketing/publicity, and production-related operations.
At EgoPo, he orchestrated a range of sold-out, successful events, served as the primary grant writer and donor manager, and increased revenue through merchandising, grants, and private donations — all while decreasing overhead expenses.
Prior to his time at EgoPo, Williams was the Managing Fellow at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey, where he served as the main point of contact for the Board of Trustees; learned from and assisted the Managing Director day-to-day; worked with fundraising consultants, lobbyists, and architects; and produced deliverables that helped to raise funds for the organization.
Williams’ other notable theater credits include serving as the Festival Manager for the Neurodiversity New Play Festival at Spectrum Theatre Ensemble in Providence, Rhode Island, co-founding Less Than Three Theatre in Austin, Texas, and working as a Finance and Management Intern at 321 Theatrical Management in New York, New York. Williams has experience as an Actor, Technician, Director, Musician, and Independent Producer among other roles in the theater industry.
“I am honored to join the team of Steel River Playhouse and facilitate its important mission and impacts,” said Williams. “In my visits to Pottstown, I was amazed and inspired by the local community’s passion for theatre. I look forward to working alongside the Board and Staff to achieve an even greater level of artistic and educational excellence, community engagement, and organizational success.”
Founded as Village Productions in 2001, in 2008, the organization purchased a turn-of-the-20th century department store in Pottstown and transformed it into a $2.4 million performing arts center named Steel River Playhouse. The Playhouse sees more than 20,000 audience members per year and more than 2,000 students in their educational programming. As a lynchpin of the revitalization of High Street, the Playhouse has also welcomed community events and meetings into the space. Williams will join a staff of seven Employees and seven Board Members.
“Alec has energetic, creative ideas for increasing the use of Steel River’s beautiful space and developing the potential of Pottstown community engagement opportunities,” said Cathy Skitko, Co-President, Steel River Playhouse Board of Directors. “His previous experience, passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in his administrative practices, and vision for attracting and serving audiences of all backgrounds inspire a bright future for Pottstown and Steel River. The Board looks forward to supporting Alec as he works to expand Steel River’s regional impact and raise the bar in all areas.”
The final show of the 2023-2024 season, The Prom, will run from May 25-Jun. 9. Performances will be at 7:00 PM on Friday and Saturday nights, 2:00 PM on Saturday, Jun. 1 and 8, and 2:00 PM on Sundays. Season subscriptions for Steel River’s 2024-2025 season are now on sale at Steel River Playhouse.
Steel River Playhouse is a non-profit (501c3) theater and education organization dedicated to sharing stories that reflect our collective humanity in an environment that represents and serves our diverse community.
Learn about more Montgomery County and Valley Forge Area happenings and attractions at Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board. The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board is a private, non-profit membership sales and marketing organization that actively promotes the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County as a convention site and leisure visitor destination by promoting patronage of its member hotels, restaurants, attractions, and services.
