FORMER ARTISTIC DIRECTOR RETURNS TO GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE
TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025
In order to support and offer longtime Grand Rapids Civic Theatre leader Bruce Tinker the professional and personal space to pursue a medical leave of absence, former Artistic Director Allyson Paris will return to the Civic team as Interim Artistic Director.
Paris will make her return to the Civic offices on Monday, August 25th, after concluding her obligations as Theatre Professor at Muskegon Community College, where she has served the Arts and Humanities Department since 2023. “It is an honor and a pleasure to return to Civic in the Interim Artistic Director role at this time of transition,” said Paris, “Civic has been an artistic home to me since moving back to Michigan in 2013, and I’m deeply grateful to the incredible staff, volunteers, theatre artists, teaching artists, students, and parents who make Civic such a gem in our West Michigan Community.”
Tinker will remain involved as a Special Advisor in order to ensure that his wealth of institutional knowledge, scope of experience, and vision for the theatre’s Centennial in the 2026-27 Season is included in Civic’s future plans.
“Bruce Tinker has given a lifetime of service and dedication to Grand Rapids Civic Theatre – a legacy that spans more than 25 years, and ushered in an era of incredible growth and change in the organization!” shared Paris, “Most impressively, Bruce worked through two major Capital Campaigns to bring our historic building up to date for patrons, volunteers, and students. He was at the helm of the most challenging times in the organization’s history – from the global recession of the early 2000s through the world altering challenges of a pandemic – and he has been there to usher the organization safely through the storms.”
As Interim Artistic Director, Paris will oversee the artistic process for Civic. Her primary areas of focus will include programming for Season 99—which features seven mainstage productions—strategically advising School of Theatre Arts performance selections and productions, supervision of artistic staff members, contractors and volunteers, guiding show selection for the Centennial Season in 2026-27, and building the long-term vision for the artistic future of Civic Theatre. In addition, she will serve as a key representative of the theatre alongside Erik Wolenberg, Executive Director, who joined the Civic team in the fall of 2024. “We are so fortunate to have Allyson returning to Civic during this critical period for our beloved organization. Her knowledge of and passion for the live theatre arts is a gift to the entire community; her love of the Civic mission and family are easy to see; I am excited to continue collaborating with her to build a bright future here,” shared Wolenberg. “I am especially grateful for the opportunity to work closely with Bruce while building a great friendship. Words cannot fully capture the impact he has had on Civic over 25+ years, but thankfully the next act will be written with Bruce’s partnership, support and confidence in all of us.”
Tinker shared this about Paris, a previous colleague of more than eight years: “I am so excited that Allyson is returning; she is a tremendous artist and educator and her commitment to Civic Theatre is beyond measure. I thank the Civic Board and Erik, for making it possible for Allyson to return as I continue on my healing journey; I am responding well to treatment at this time and I look forward to being in the audience during Civic’s 99th Season this fall.”
Please join us in support of these two upstanding leaders of the West Michigan arts community as their transition comes to fruition.