Powerstories Appoints Clareann Despain, PhD as Artistic Director

With a longstanding professional relationship and collaborative history, Powerstories Theatre is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Clareann Despain as the newest addition to their leadership team, stepping into the role of Artistic Director in January 2024.

"I have known Clareann for several years, collaborating with her on projects and following her career and creative endeavors in Tampa. She will be a perfect addition to our team! She begins in January, and I cannot wait," said Fran Powers, theatre founder and executive director. "I am excited about the many new possibilities under Clareann's artistic leadership. Bringing Clareann on board will enhance our creative footprint and allow me and others more time to build new resources and find greater opportunities aligning with our mission."

Despain brings a wealth of credentials and experiences to her new role. Serving as the Producing Artistic Director for the award-winning Straz Produced series in the Jaeb Theatre in Tampa, FL, she demonstrated a commitment to the arts, even innovating an online model for Forum Theatre as a member of Outcast Theatre Collective during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her impressive resume includes successful productions such as "Ride the Cyclone" at the University of South Florida, "Murder on the Orient Express" at Stageworks, and "Twelfth Night" at St. Pete Shakes. Holding a Ph.D. in Dramatic Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Dr. Despain has also made significant contributions to academia, teaching at institutions such as the University of South Florida, Hillsborough Community College, University of California, Santa Barbara, and the University of New Mexico.

Despain expressed her excitement about joining Powerstories, "I'm thrilled to be joining Fran and the Powerstories team in creating meaningful theatrical experiences that open hearts and minds. Audiences and theatre makers alike are hungry for stories that help us navigate increasingly challenging times. I'm especially excited to be part of Powerstories in Motion as we deepen the company's connection with diverse communities."

For those wanting to meet Despain, she will attend Powerstories' November 30 Freedom to Read event at Shuffle, 2612 N Tampa St. Learn more at powerstories.com.