Academy of Music Theatre names Dumont as next executive director
Dumont will take over July 1 from Debra J'Anthony, who led the historic venue for 18 years.
NORTHAMPTON — The Academy of Music Theatre's Board of Trustees has named Raymond Dumont as its next executive director, effective July 1. He succeeds Debra J'Anthony, who is stepping down after 18 years in the role.
Dumont is relocating to Northampton from Lewiston, Maine, where he has spent more than 30 years in professional theater as a performer, educator, director, choreographer, and producer. Most recently, he served as executive director of The Public Theatre in Lewiston and held positions at Maine State Music Theatre on the Bowdoin University campus, including four years as managing director from 1999 to 2003.
J'Anthony said she decided to retire after a full career in arts management. "I've had an amazing, full career, and I think now is time for me to step forward and to have some fresh perspective and fresh energy come into the space," she told Reminder Publishing. She gave the Academy a three-year notice of her retirement to allow the organization to develop a strategic plan for its next chapter.
During J'Anthony's tenure, the Academy underwent extensive restorations and renovations, expanded its programming to include a season series and community-based offerings, and increased youth educational programming. J'Anthony said she is confident in Dumont's ability to lead the organization forward, calling him "a full package" due to his experience managing theaters as an art director.
Dumont attended Boston University School of Management, where he majored in finance and marketing. He said his path to theater began when he took a job in the marketing department of a theater group, which opened his eyes to a career in the performing arts. "It was an amazing eye-opener that you can have a life in the professional theater in any number of ways," he said.
Dumont identified arts education as a personal priority and said he sees opportunity to expand the Academy's existing youth education program. "I've seen firsthand what arts education can do. I've seen it change children, literally change children, and I just feel like theater saves lives," he said. He also plans to focus on developing diverse audiences across Northampton and bringing new programming to the venue while maintaining what already works.