Nashville Children’s Theatre (NCT) has hired Jenilee “Jen” Houghton and Dr. Martha “Marti” Cantrell as the next executive artistic director and executive managing director of NCT, respectively.
In September of 2024, NCT’s past executive artistic director, Ernie Nolan, stepped down after seven and a half years with the theater. Interim directors were put in place immediately, and a national search began for the next full-time leaders of the organization.
After a nine-month search, Houghton has been hired as the next executive artistic director of NCT. Houghton has 25 years of experience in theater, dance and opera. In addition to their work as a freelance director and choreographer, their most recent role has been as the senior manager of Design and Product Vision at Revolution Dance, and they’ve had prior roles as a program director, production manager and interim executive director at various theaters. They will be relocating from Chicago.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Nashville Children’s Theatre as the next executive artistic director,” Houghton said. “My passion for TYA [theater for young audiences] has been a lifelong journey starting as a young audience member turned performer, turned designer, turned director/choreographer. I’m excited to continue my journey in TYA at NCT.” Houghton begins full-time work on June 16.
After serving as the interim managing director of NCT since Nolan’s departure, Cantrell has been hired as the next executive managing director.
“Working at the theater as the interim managing director for the last 10 months has been a true honor, and I am eager to continue in the role as executive managing director,” Cantrell said. “The people I get to work with every day and the impact we get to make in the community are electric, and I hope every life we get to touch feels that.”
Cantrell previously served as an executive principal in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools from 2005 to 2023 and was a trustee on the theater’s board prior to serving as the interim managing director.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jen and Marti as full-time executive leaders of the theater,” Board Chair Amy Bryant said. “We believe having both an executive artistic director and executive managing director is necessary to lead NCT to success in the coming years. I am excited to see how Jen and Marti help grow the theater’s influence in the community.”
The next season kicks off in September, and season memberships are available at NashvilleChildrensTheatre.org now.
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