Dallas Children's Theater Appoints Philanthropic Vet as Temporary Executive Leader

The Dallas Children's Theater is gearing up for an exciting new chapter as it welcomes two new leaders and announces an inspiring lineup for its 42nd season.

Michael Meadows has been appointed as the interim executive director of the theater, effective during the 42nd season this fall. Meadows brings nearly four decades of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors to his new role. Previously, he held leadership positions at Southwestern Medical Foundation and The University of Texas at Dallas, and served as president and CEO of the Dallas Zoological Society. Samantha Turner, a longtime advocate for the theater, championed Meadows for the role.

Turner will be transitioning to the role of chief operating officer for a period of months. Leah Mora, president of the Dallas Children's Theater board of directors, spoke highly of Meadows' appointment, praising his extensive background and commitment to the arts.

In addition to Meadows' appointment, Emily Ernst has been named the new Artistic Director for the theater. Ernst is a seasoned professional with a passion for children's theater and a proven track record of success.

The Dallas Children's Theater serves as a resource for professional family-friendly theater, arts education for schools, and community enrichment. Each year, it serves over 90,000 young people and their families with professional productions and a robust arts-in-education program.

The 42nd season will feature a co-commissioned world premiere of a new holiday show from Mo Willems, "The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!". The theater also continues to inspire young people and foster community engagement, cultural understanding, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Meanwhile, The Cedars Union, a hub for emerging and mid-career artists in North Texas, has appointed Emma Vernon as its executive director. Vernon is the Executive Director of The Cedars Union, a Dallas-based nonprofit arts incubator that provides studio space, tools, and resources for artists. She has a background in philanthropic leadership and arts management, including experience with major Dallas cultural institutions like the Dallas Zoo and the Dallas Museum of Art.

Elsewhere in the Dallas arts scene, Pedegree Studios, a new startup company, has licensed core technologies from UT Dallas to create a scalable digital pipeline for education and workforce development. The company aims to revolutionize the way people learn and work in the digital age.

Anmolika Singh has put Dallas on the global AI Tinkerers map with the start of a local chapter for AI enthusiasts. Singh's efforts have helped to bring together a community of individuals passionate about artificial intelligence and its potential to transform our world.

Finally, UT Dallas researcher Dr. Walter Voit transformed Minecraft's 170-million-player universe into an advanced virtual training ground for scientific learning and AI research. Voit's work has the potential to revolutionize the way we teach and learn, and to bring the power of AI to a wider audience.

These exciting developments in the Dallas arts and education scene are sure to inspire and enrich the community for years to come.

Dallas Children's Theater Appoints Philanthropic Vet as Temporary Executive Leader