NELSONVILLE — The Stuart’s Opera House Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Devin Sudman as the organization’s new Executive Director, effective Oct. 20.

Sudman succeeds Melissa Wales, who has served as Executive Director since 2020.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Sudman is a singer, pianist, storyteller, educator, and arts activist who believes in the power of the arts to build community and inspire change. He holds two degrees from Ohio University, a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Conducting and a Master of Arts Administration in Theatre and Production Management.

His graduate research, “Anti-Racism in the Arts: Five Questions Every Arts Administrator Should Ask Themselves, and Why,” inspired community conversations around anti-racism in the arts and led him to facilitate workshops with nationally recognized organizations, including Arts Midwest.

Sudman has served as Education Director at Stuart’s Opera House since 2021, leading arts education programs that engage students, educators, and community members across Southeast Ohio. His relationship with Stuart’s began in 2015, when he volunteered as Music Director for the Opera House’s resident community theater, the ABC Players — a collaboration that sparked years of involvement in productions and community arts initiatives.

“I’m deeply honored and excited to step into the role of Executive Director at Stuart’s Opera House,” said Sudman. “Over the past five years, I’ve witnessed the creativity, resilience, and passion that define this organization and the community it serves. I’m especially grateful to Melissa Wales for her extraordinary leadership – guiding Stuart’s through a global pandemic and strengthening our foundation for the future. Building on that legacy, I look forward to uniting our staff, board, and community around a shared vision – one that centers joy, equity, and collaboration while expanding our impact across Southeast Ohio. Together, I believe we can continue to ensure that the arts remain a powerful force for connection, creativity, and transformation.”

Sudman serves on the Board of Directors for the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education and as Vice-Chair of the Athens Municipal Arts Commission (AMAC). He has taught music and conducted choirs as a professor at Hocking College and Ohio University, and worked as Music Director and Associate Music Director for Tantrum Theater, Ohio University’s professional theater company.

“Devin Sudman brings institutional knowledge, incredible passion for the arts, fundraising experience, advocacy background, and established commitment to the mission and work of the organization,” said Kristi Brooks, Chair of the Stuart’s Opera House Board of Directors. “He is rooted in and dedicated to the communities that Stuart’s serves. We know Devin will lead the organization with ‘collaboration, creativity, and care’ (to quote Sudman), and the Board is excited for the future under his leadership.”

The Executive Director search was conducted by Kristi Kinnard of Career Connections and chaired by Brooks.

“I am beyond grateful to all the members of the search committee for the dedication of their time, expertise, and wisdom,” Brooks said. “Through the exceptional guidance of Kristi with Career Connections, we were able to identify an extremely strong pool of experienced and knowledgeable candidates and methodically select the best person to fill the role of Executive Director.”

Founded in 1879, Stuart’s Opera House is the cornerstone of the historic Public Square in Nelsonville, presenting year-round live performances, tuition-free educational programming, and the annual Nelsonville Music Festival. To learn more, visit stuartsoperahouse.org