Donald Mason has been named as the new executive director for Lexington’s Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center.
Mason has served as interim director of the theater since March, shortly after the previous director, Rasheedah El-Amin, resigned to pursue other opportunities. Mason will be the theater’s third executive director since the facility was restored by the city and reopened in October 2010. He has served as a member of the Lyric’s Board of Directors, and he also serves on the Board of Directors for the Lexington Area Music Alliance.
Mason earned his bachelor’s degree in management and ethics from Asbury University. He has also studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and at Southern New Hampshire University, where he is pursuing a master’s certificate in music business and a master’s degree in business administration, respectively.
As interim director, Mason has established a Program Advisory Board for the Lyric and moved to build partnerships with surrounding neighborhoods and businesses and improve the community’s access to the 540-seat theater and adjoining cultural arts center, which includes a community room, art gallery and museum space.
“As the new executive director, I’m excited about continuing to move the Lyric forward as one of the city’s premiere arts and cultural venues,” Mason said in a news release announcing his appointment.