Jerri Southcott has resigned from her job as executive director of the Astor Theatre in Liverpool. (Rick Conrad / File photo)

The Astor Theatre will soon be without an executive director for the third time in the past 15 months.

Jerri Southcott, who took over the top job at the historic Liverpool theatre in February, recently tendered her resignation.

Her last day at the Astor will be Aug. 9.

In a letter to members of the Astor Theatre Society, the board said Southcott is resigning for personal reasons.

In an interview on Tuesday, Southcott told QCCR she didn’t want to go into details. But she said she decided to return to her career with the federal government.

“At this point, it’s a personal decision and it’s the right one for my family and me right now.”

Before she took the Astor job, Southcott worked in communications for Health Canada and with other federal departments. And before that, she worked as a journalist with CBC and Advocate Media.

Southcott, who lives in Mahone Bay, was in the job for just over a month when associate artistic director Ashley-Rose Goodwin resigned. That set off a firestorm among some in the community, angry that Goodwin was no longer at the theatre.

Some of Goodwin’s supporters vowed to oust the Astor board. That didn’t happen and the controversy eventually died down. 

But the episode at times was heated and personal.

Southcott said that did not play a part in her decision to leave.

“I have a real passion for the organization, for the Astor Theatre. I see a lot of potential and hope there is somebody who will take over and realize its potential.”

John Simmonds, chairman of the Astor Theatre Society, said Southcott did a lot of great things in her short time as executive director.

“She’s been a stalwart and accomplished some significant things with grants and operations and community outreach and contact. So we’re very sad to see her go.

“Jerri was very much happy in her job. She loved what she was doing and she saw the contributions and she had the support, for the most part, of the board. But I think she decided maybe this is a better route for (her) to go.”

Simmonds said the board hasn’t decided yet when or if it will search for a new executive director. It’s been difficult for the theatre to find and hang on to one.

When Southcott was hired, it had been four years since the Astor had had a full-time executive director. Jean Robinson-Dexter filled in on an interim basis at various times since September 2020.

In May 2023, the theatre thought it had found a new manager, but that person decided not to take the job after all. Another search resulted in the hiring of Lesli Chandler, who began the job in July 2023 but resigned that September.

“We’re going to regroup,” Simmonds said. “We’re going to do some fundamental thinking, both staff and board, to determine what our best next approach should be.

“Our staff is very loyal and committed to doing what they need to do to get us through this. … We can take the time with a clear head and sort out what the best future for the Astor might be and how to prepare for that future, whether it be staffing or organizational change.”

Simmonds said that Southcott has committed to do what she can before she leaves to ensure the transition is smooth. And he said regardless of what happens, the board wants to make sure the Astor continues to serve the community.

Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com

Jerri Southcott is the new executive director of the Astor Theatre in Liverpool. (Submitted photo)

By Rick Conrad

The Astor Theatre in Liverpool has hired a new executive director.

Jerri Southcott takes over the full-time position on Feb. 5, the theatre’s board of directors announced Tuesday

Southcott is no stranger to the Astor. As the founder of South Shore Summer Theatre, she brought two productions to Liverpool — Jesus Christ Superstar in 2022 and Pippin in 2023.

She says she’s excited about her new role.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting some of the patrons and working with the board of directors and the staff. I really do have a passion for the arts and for this building and the theatre itself. … I’m very excited.”

Southcott has experience on stage, and behind the scenes. She is a professional actor, with voice-over work in commercials, documentaries and animated series. 

She has a family background in theatre. Her parents ran a renowned music theatre program for young people in North Bay, Ont. She says that program is still going strong after more than 40 years. 

She has also worked in various communications roles with the federal government, along with stints in journalism with CBC.

It’s been four years since the Astor has had a full-time executive director. Jean Robinson has been filling the role on an interim basis for almost three years, since September 2020, and plans to help with the transition.

The theatre began its most recent search for a permanent executive director in March 2023, when Robinson announced she was stepping back from the temporary role for health reasons.

In May 2023, the Astor announced that its successful candidate would not be taking on the role after all.

Another search resulted in the hiring of Lesli Chandler, who began the job in July but resigned in September for personal reasons.

Robinson returned to her role as interim director in the meantime, helping with the search for someone to fill the job permanently.

John Simmonds, the chairman of the Astor board, says Robinson played a vital role in the past few years in keeping the Astor afloat. 

“She kept our doors open,” Simmonds said. “The good news is that through all this, the staff pulled together extraordinarily well. And Jean, as a part-timer, was putting in a full-time load. If it needed to be done, she would be here doing it.”

He says the board is excited about what Southcott will bring to the job, especially with what promises to be a packed 2024 season, starting with the Winds of Change production of the musical Follies in February.

“She will bring that leadership component which she has had before,” he said. 

“She has done an awful lot on the artistic side. She’s run programs, she’s an actor, she’s done all of the things that we do in the theatre, plus she has had a strong administrative component in her various businesses that she’s run. So we think that will stand her in good stead to hit the ground running in February.”

Simmonds added that one of the things that most impressed the board was Southcott’s background in communications, which he hopes will help boost the Astor’s considerable promotional efforts.

Southcott and her husband moved to Mahone Bay three years ago. She said she plans to commute to Liverpool for now, but that she and her family may consider moving closer as she gets comfortable in the job.

“I do see the benefits of living in the community and working in a position like this one,” she says. 

“And I also feel like the South Shore as a whole, it’s a great opportunity for me to introduce the Astor to people in this area who maybe haven’t really experienced the theatre.”

As she takes over from Jean Robinson, Southcott says she has “big shoes to fill”, but that she’s up for the challenge.

“I feel confident that it will be a wonderful experience thanks to the support from the board and from the outgoing executive director.”

Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com

To hear the broadcast version of this story, press play below

Lesli Chandler in Astor Aug 1 2023. Photo Ed Halverson

The Astor Theatre Society is once again on the hunt for a new Executive Director.

Just over two months into the job, Lesli Chandler has resigned from her position as the Executive Director of The Astor Theatre citing the need to prioritize her family.

Chandler says The Astor Theatre is one of the best live venue spaces she has known.

The Board of Directors of the Astor Theatre Society published a statement announcing Chandler’s departure on Thursday and acknowledged her contributions and dedication wishing her success in her future endeavors.

Chandler’s resignation is effective immediately.

Former Executive Director Jean Robinson Dexter announced her decision to resign in March of this year and a replacement was found shortly afterwards. However, the Astor Theatre Society posted to social media in May that the newly hired Executive Director decided not to take the job and the search was back on.

Chandler was announced as the new Executive Director in June and began her tenure July 5.

Robinson Dexter has agreed to step in as the acting, part-time Executive Director while the board searches for Chandler’s replacement.

To hear the broadcast of this story click play below.

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com