Riverland Community College has a new theater instructor and director, Lindsey Duoos Williams. She replaces Jerry Girton, who retired from the position in May after 22 years at Riverland.
Williams will teach the theater curriculum at Riverland and direct and produce the college's student theater season. Her hire comes after a comprehensive search that presented candidates from across the county.
Williams received a master's degree in musical theater from San Diego State University, as well as a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California School of Theatre.
"Although my graduate studies were specialized in the area of musical theater, my professional background encompasses a wide variety of theatrical experience, both in professional and education venues," Williams said.
Her career has been primarily focused on the areas of acting, directing and producing. She was nominated for an NAACP Theatre Award in 2007 for her direction of "The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds her Chameleon Skin" at Pico Playhouse in Los Angeles.
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More recently, Williams worked with some of Broadway's top talent at the Los Angeles agency Kazarian/Spencer/Ruskin & Associates. While there, she scouted theatrical talent and aided in the development of new musical theater projects.
"Besides providing theater education and training to Riverland students, I hope to continue to strengthen the theatrical programming," Williams said. "I feel my producing experience will be an asset in promoting and raising funds that build the department's profile in our Riverland communities."
Williams is a Minneapolis native and said she is thrilled to be returning to her home state. She is already focused on selecting and securing rights for the 2011-12 theatrical season.
"I'm particularly excited to begin getting to know the Riverland community," Williams said. "I look forward to continuing the legacy of excellence in theatrical programming at Riverland, as well as finding new ways to better serve our community and students."
