Billie Holiday Theatre Taps Met Vet Amid Massive Renovation Project

BED-STUY, NY — Bed-Stuy's Billie Holiday Theatre tapped Metropolitan Museum of Art and NYC Department of Planning veteran Shadawn Smith to helm the lead through a major remodel.

Smith was announced last week as the Executive Director for the famed theater that recently received a National Medal of Arts. She will kick off her new position on June 1 with a "listening tour" to understand Central Brooklyn's priorities, according to the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation.

Smith is a "proven bridge builder" — she brings 20 years of experience including senior roles at the Met, New York City Council and NYC & Company, according to the corporation.

“Shadawn is a talented cultural leader and experienced community organizer with the requisite skills to usher in the next chapter of Restoration’s cultural offerings,” said Blondel Pinnock, President & CEO of Restoration.

In addition to overseeing The Billie, Smith will helm the corporation's arts programming as Vice President for Arts & Culture — a role that puts her at the forefront of the corporation's massive Restoration Plaza redesign.

Plans for the new Restoration Innovation Campus include major renovations to The Billie, including 70,000-square-feet of studio, educational and programming space.

"As we scale our offerings into Brooklyn’s premier performing and cultural arts center, I am eager to further deepen our ties to the community and to uplift the nation’s next generation of Black talent,” Smith said in a statement.

The entire campus will reach 800,000 square feet at the existing Restoration Plaza's Fulton Street location.