AATE Appoints New Executive Director

The American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE) announced today the appointment of Marcie Granahan as the association’s new Executive Director.

She is the third executive director since the organization’s incorporation in 1987 and follows Lynne Kingsley who stepped down last month. Kingsley will continue to serve the organization as a member and volunteer consultant.

Granahan, a certified association executive, has a 15-year history of building strong, financially viable and nationally recognized associations. Prior to joining AATE, she served for six years as the CEO of the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, where she doubled its operating budget through the expansion of educational offerings and increased its presence at the state and national level.   Her career also includes serving as the Executive Director of the National Center for Responsible Gaming, as Vice President of Communications for the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, and seven years at the American Society of Association Executives as Vice President of Member Resources and Strategic Relations, where she expanded research capabilities, increased educational offerings, developed new member services and programs and fostered strategic alliances and partnerships that benefited the membership.

"Marcie has the combination of top-notch association management skills with the passion for theatre and arts education that this position needs. We are thrilled that she agreed to join us in our continued desire to move AATE into the next 25 years of vibrant life,” says Daniel A. Kelin II, AATE’s President.

Granahan has been a compelling spokesperson and advocate, presenting at national and regional conferences, authoring numerous articles in industry publications, testifying before the U.S. Congress and state legislatures, participating in federal taskforces and research initiatives, and representing the field in broadcast and print media.

Granahan resides in Annapolis, Maryland, with her husband of 19 years and their three children.  Her youngest, a child with learning differences, has benefitted greatly from the performing and theatre arts.