Around Town: Debbie Chinn Named Next Executive Director of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley | New

In the latest Around Town column, news from new TheaterWorks Silicon Valley executive Debbie Chinn and Michael McFaul, director of Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute, who was recently honored by Ukraine.

IN HONOR… Silicon Valley Works Theater found a new CEO in Debbie Chinnwho will officially begin his new role on November 15. The theater company, which performs shows in Palo Alto and Mountain View, announced the change of management August 24.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we salute Debbie’s infectious enthusiasm and energy as she returns to Regional Theater at this crucial time in our history,” said the Board Chairman. holly room said in a statement.

Chinn, who has lived in the Bay Area since the early 1990s, comes to the role with leadership experience in various organizations, including Anna Deavere Smith Projects, Parallel Opera, Carmel Bach Festival, California Shakespeare Theater, center stage in Baltimore and the Shakespeare Theater in New Jersey. She sits on the board of directors of Playwrights Foundation, San Francisco Community Music Center and San Francisco Chinese Cultural Center.

“This is an exciting time for all of us in the arts industry as we come together to craft an entirely new model of what it means to be a regional theater and a meaningful member of the communities we serve,” Chinn said in a statement. communicated. .

Chinn succeeds Phil Santora, which ended its stay at TheatreWorks at the end of July. “I have admired Debbie Chinn from afar for many years and am thrilled to begin our partnership,” said the artistic director of TheatreWorks. Tim Bond said. “I am energized by his passion, elated by his life story and inspired by his innovative perspectives.”

GREAT HONOR … Michael McFaulthe director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (ISF) to Stanford Universityrecently received a state award from Ukraine, which celebrated its Independence Day last month.

He was among dozens of people recognized for “significant personal merits in strengthening interstate cooperation, supporting state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”, the Ukrainian president said. Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Decree of August 23. This list includes notable figures such as US Secretary of State Antoine BlinkenCNN anchor Christiane Amanpour and actor Ben Stiler.

The awards came as the Russian invasion of Ukraine passed the six-month mark. McFaul, a former US ambassador and longtime expert on Russia and Ukraine, was deeply grateful for this recognition.

“President Zelenskyy, Ukrainian warriors and all Ukrainians lead the fight for democracy, freedom and sovereignty against tyranny, repression and imperialism,” McFaul said in a statement. September 1 article on the ISP website. “They are heroes. Not just for Ukraine, not just for Europe, but for the whole world.”