SecondStory Rep Adds to Leadership Team, Plans Open House

Leadership changes are underway at , where Executive Director is adding a new artistic director and director of education to the theater's leadership team.

Corey McDaniel, the theater's new artistic director, is a local director, actor and instructor who had previously served as SecondStory's interim education director since August 2011. He has worked throughout the US and around the world on a variety of stage, film and television projects. McDaniel spent seven years as a director and assistant choreographer for Children's Theatre Experience in Southern California and two years as education director at Seattle-based GreenStage before joining SecondStory Rep.

Samantha Holsworth, SecondStory's new artistic director, earned a bachelor's degree in theater from Florida State University and has worked at Village Theater KIDSTAGE, Broadway Bound Children's Theater and Seattle Musical Theater since moving to Seattle in 2010. She also directed SecondStory's production of Dear Edwina, Jr last summer.

Chenovick, himself a , said in a news release that he believes both McDaniel and Hosworth embody his vision for the theater.

"Both McDaniel and Holsworth believe in the same things that SSR is striving for: to be a place where creative visionaries can come together in a supportive and collaborative environment," Chenovick said. "Instinctively, their personalities and similar work ethic encourage and fuel the creative and buoyant nature of the artists they work with."  

SecondStory will introduce Holsworth and McDaniel to the community at an open house from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the theater, 16587 NE 74th St. in Redmond. Everyone is invited to come meet the staff, ask questions and share ideas.