Trustus hires new executive director

Trustus Theatre in the Vista has hired a new executive director.

Leila Ibrahim, 31, will take over for previous director Larry Hembree, who left Trustus in August.

Artistic Director Chad Henderson has been acting interim executive director during the hiring process.

Ibrahim comes to Trustus from Florence Little Theatre, where she served as executive director for a year. The chance to move from community to professional theater was something Ibrahim said she couldn’t pass up.

“Something I’ve learned is that some of these arts jobs don't come around a lot. So when an opportunity presents itself and it feels like a good match, you have to take it,” she said.

Ibrahim was one of about a dozen applicants for the position, Henderson said.

“She has experience with what we need,” which is marketing tickets, seeking corporate sponsorship and managing finances, he said, adding, “I’m excited to have a different perspective in the building.”

Originally from the Atlanta area, Ibrahim previously has managed the box office at The Liacouras Center at Temple University and developed fundraising and sponsorship programs as development director at Cherokee County Arts Center in Canton, Ga.

“I was so impressed with the level of quality and the level of talent Trustus brings to Columbia,” she said. “I’m not an artist or a performer; I’m an arts administrator. So I think Chad (Henderson) and I are going to blend well.”

Ibrahim said she had no plans to make immediate changes at Trustus, but that one of her goals is to find new ways to bring new audiences to the theater.

Ibrahim starts work as Trustus’ executive director Feb. 1.