Colonial Theatre Executive Director Leaving To Aid Philly Artists

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Colonial Theatre's executive director is leaving to lead another organization that aids Philadelphia artists.

The Association for the Colonial Theatre announced this week that Ken Metzner is vacating his role as Executive Director, according to Bob Trate, Marketing Director for the Colonial Theatre.

Trate said Metzner has accepted a position as the Executive Director of Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. PVLA provides pro-bono legal assistance to low-income artists and arts groups, and educational programs to support a thriving culture of creativity and innovation in the greater Philadelphia region.

Metzner told Patch, "The Colonial is an incredible institution, blessed with an extraordinary staff, a very committed board, and a passionate and generous community of supporters. It has been a privilege to be part of this team and the Phoenixville community these last three years."

He explained the work ahead of him. "The pandemic has wreaked havoc on the lives of many artists and smaller arts organizations and I'm looking forward to being of service to them in my new role at Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts."

Metzner's last day at the Colonial Theatre will be Sept. 3.

The Board of Directors thanked Metzner "heartily" for his service over the past three years. Board President Suzanne Norris said the board “extends our thanks to Ken Metzner for his dedication and service. During his tenure as Executive Director, he has helped expand the Colonial's mission and vision. He has also nurtured a spirit of creativity which has enabled the theatre not only to weather this past difficult year but to flourish as a cultural entity."

In partnership with Metzner, the dedicated team of Colonial staff, board, volunteers, and generous members and supporters has accomplished much since 2018. Those achievements include:

• A comprehensive re-branding including a new logo, website redesign, fresh marketing collateral, and re-aligned mission, organizational values, and vision.
• New programs aimed to make the Colonial's offerings more experiential, relevant, and accessible to a broader demographic. These have included the Ovations program, which provides free movie tickets and concessions to neighbors otherwise unable to access the arts, and the Sparks program, which amplifies the missions and work of local nonprofits and service providers by subsidizing use of the Colonial’s facilities and other assets.
• Increasing the Colonial’s capacity to attract and present more and increasingly diverse live music performances through a new partnership with music promoter BRE and installation of an upgraded sound system in the Colonial’s 658-seat historic auditorium, which will significantly reduce concert expenses.
• Strengthening the Colonial’s financial condition through a tax-free loan refinancing and the liberation of funding for programs and facilities improvements via new grants and donations.

The Colonial Theatre's Executive Committee will lead the transition, which includes the creation of a search committee to identify a new Executive Director by early 2022. An interim Executive Director will also be named in the coming days, Trate said.

To build on the Colonial's 119 years of storytelling and performance, the Executive Committee will lean on the Colonial's mission, vision, and values to guide its search for a new community leader, a news statement said. Further, it will prioritize maintaining stability and flexibility through a persistently challenging time for arts and cultural venues.

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