In 2011, I began seriously dating a longtime friend who has lived for years in Cumberland County. In an attempt to woo me away from the Philadelphia metro area, he naturally took me first to the “Gem of Carlisle”- the Carlisle Theatre. I had a blast visiting all the shops, galleries, and restaurants. Ever since, Carlisle is our go-to when I want to impress family and friends visiting from out of town, and they are never disappointed. I like to say that “I chose Cumberland County,” and I’m a fierce advocate for Central PA, and especially for the arts! I’ve been a guest blogger for Americans for the Arts.
After years of working outside of the area since moving here, I’m thrilled to finally serve an organization in my community! I’m the first Executive Director for Carlisle Regional Performing Arts Center, also known as the Carlisle Theatre. I’m a partner with our board of directors in service to our mission in offering programming to fulfill the cultural and artistic needs of our region while adding value to our community’s vibrancy and diversity. Film and theatre are in my DNA. Growing up, I was one of the “drama kids.” As a teenager, I learned every aspect of movie theaters from concessions, ticketing to projection as the manager of a dual-screen art house. I bring my corporate management and arts nonprofit management experience to our organization.
Carlisle is alive and kicking. It’s beautiful, walkable, has easy parking and lots of pickings for dining, shopping and entertainment. There are so many examples of our community’s interest in working together for the success of the town, and everyone is pulling in the same direction. The Farmers Market on the Square is one great example- the vendors offer an incredible variety of goods, and we are thrilled to host the indoor market January through April at the Theatre. We have no shortage of community partners and businesses to work with. We are grateful for this area’s true community spirit and are glad to work with them in service.
The arts have a special role to play in helping to bring people together, raise awareness about community issues and help solve issues creatively. I’m excited for our partnership in “The Invisible Class” film screening on November 20 at the Theatre, to help raise awareness and share local resources during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. For this event, we are supporting Community CARES, Domestic Violence Services, Project SHARE, Safe Harbour, and the Salvation Army. We’re thrilled to help address bullying in schools through the “C.A.T.CH.” program we are supporting in local schools through our talented Artistic Director in December. I’ve seen firsthand how the arts help build job skills in young people and bring people from diverse backgrounds together. Using film as a discussion pivot point, or processing events or feelings in theatre, the arts can be therapeutic personally. Film and theatre represent a shared experience. The arts can transform individuals and places. We provide a literal stage and platform for the best parts of our selves and our community. Some people may not yet understand that we are a regional nonprofit, but we have been well loved and an important community space for many years.
As a new leader for our organization, I am spending a lot of time talking to diverse groups of people and hearing their dreams and visions for the future, and how the Theatre’s mission might meet their ideas and plans. I hope that we continue to hear new, often unheard voices. Carlisle already is a cultural commons. Our organization helps draw many new visitors into the life of Carlisle. We help inspire livability of our area, its economic development, and community connectedness. – Erika Juran, Executive Director for Carlisle Regional Performing Arts Center