Carlsbad, CA—New Village Arts (NVA), North County’s cultural hub, welcomes two new staff members who have just joined the management team. Rae Henderson is the company’s new Managing Director effective October 1, and Joy Jones is the new Associate Artistic Director in charge of education and community outreach, as of September 13.
Rae Henderson came to NVA after several years serving as the Membership Director for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carlsbad. Prior to that, she was the Music Director for LEGOLAND, CA for four years. At NVA, Rae has worked in a variety of capacities, including (but not limited to) bookkeeper, front of house associate, actor, interim general manager, and controller. Rae degree in Accounting. She has appeared on the NVA stage in Suds, Around the World in 80 Days, and Beehive. Her other San Diego theatrical credits include MOXIE, Moonlight, Diversionary, Starlight, and the Welk Resort.
Partnering with Executive Artistic Director/Founder Kristianne Kurner and reporting to NVA’s Board of Directors, Rae will provide strategic leadership, financial management, fundraising and development and brand guidance, maximizing earned and contributed revenue, managing finances and staff, cultivating community relationships, and continuing to build the theatre’s reputation as a cultural and educational hub for North San Diego County.
“Rae Henderson has worked with New Village Arts in many ways over the years, and she brings all her incredible talents into this leadership role,” says Kristianne Kurner. “Under Rae’s guidance, NVA will continue to have the highest fiscal responsibility while always keeping our focus on our mission of providing adventurous artistic experiences to awaken the human spirit. I can’t imagine a better person to partner with in running the company, and I look forward to all Rae and I will be able to achieve together.”
Originally from Houston, Texas, Joy Yvonne Jones attended The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and went on to study at the University of Minnesota in the Guthrie Theatre BFA Actor Training Program in Minneapolis, Minnesota.. Joy is a recipient of the San Diego Critic Circle Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play for her performance of Saartjie Baartman in Voyeurs de Venus at Moxie Theatre. Her most recent credits include Cherise Howard in Flex at The Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Isabelle in Ring Round the Moon at Lambs Players Theatre, Zuzu in Dance Nation, and Jane in Kate Hamil’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. In 2020 her play Ode to My Mothers was featured in the Old Globe Theatre’s Juneteenth Celebration. Joy is the founder and president of the San Diego Black Artists Collective.
As Associate Artistic Director, Joy will focus on education and outreach while working to guide the company in support of its mission. She will continue enhancing the educational programming that is offered, assist in selecting works for the New Play Festival to ensure
a diverse selection, spearhead the Teatro Pueblo Nuevo and other outreach programming, be involved in the casting process for NVA’s mainstage season, and continue to work onstage as an actor, producer, and/or director.
“We are honored that Joy Yvonne Jones joined the team as our Associate Artistic Director,” says Kristianne Kurner. “Joy is a highly accomplished theatre artist who will help lead our education and outreach programs to new heights. Having had the good fortune to work with Joy both on stage and off, I also can’t wait to see the work she will do as an actor and producer. She is going to make an incredibly meaningful impact in our community.”
About New Village Arts
Celebrating 20 years of award-winning professional theatre, thrilling and unique visual arts, and thriving education and outreach programs, New Village Arts (NVA) has truly become the cultural hub of North County San Diego.
NVA attracts more than 20,000 patrons each year to experience professional theatre, currently presented outdoors at The Flower Fields. In addition to full seasons of plays and musicals featuring some of the best artistic talent in Southern California, NVA hosts talkback discussions and other supplementary events designed to create conversation and cultivate community. NVA offers robust theatre programs in partnership with local schools and strongly believes that theatre and arts experiences should be accessible to ALL people, becoming a recognized leader in equity, diversity, and inclusion in San Diego. NVA has been fortunate to receive support from the City of Carlsbad and other local businesses, who recognize the importance of a resident professional theatre company as a crucial component of an inclusive and creative community. In turn NVA prioritizes serving its community by presenting works that respect its diversity, engaging every citizen with relevant and inspiring stories.
New Village Arts is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization listed under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS.
New Village Arts, Inc.
2787 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-433-3245
www.newvillagearts.org
