Staff Spotlight: Laurie Siegel

CTD:Tell us about your role at the Carolina Theatre. What are your main responsibilities, and what does a typical day look like for you?

LS: I am the Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement. My main responsibilities involve curating programs for the Arts Discovery Educational Series (K-12 school field trips), Family Saturday Series and Sensory Friendly Film Series as well as planning and implementing the Running Bull High School Film Festival, and organizing and leading school and group tours of the historical exhibits at the theater. There is no real typical day for me, unless I’m catching up on emails or managing projects, because a day could have a show with 900+ students in the building, meetings with potential community partners (with MY Co-Conspirator of Community, Suzanne) or school visits where I am coordinating workshops with teachers.

CTD: What drew you to work at Carolina Theatre, and how did your background lead you here?

LS: The Carolina Theatre has always held a special place in my heart since I first performed on the stage here in 2004. A transplant to Durham from Maryland, by way of college at UNCG, I quickly fell in love with the city, the rich cultural tapestry and the unique, quirky, welcoming vibe. My background as an elementary music teacher (for 28 years!) put me in close contact with the educational offerings at the theater. My education experience along with my performance background, not to mention that I know A LOT of folks in the city, led me to the perfect fit in this role.

CTD: What has been your most memorable experience (so far) working at the Theatre?

LS: It’s hard to pick just one, but the Running Bull Film Festival tops the list. I helped plan and host 100+ Durham Public High School students in workshops with local filmmakers during the day and screening their films on the big screen in the evening.

CTD: What do you find most rewarding about your position, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve encountered?

LS: One of the most rewarding parts of my position is seeing the faces of students that come into the theater for the first time or return to see a show with the biggest smiles. Leaving the classroom came with mixed emotions, so seeing students enjoying our programming is fantastic, especially when I get to welcome former students. THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE I have faced was dealing with inclement weather and all of the repercussions that meant when I had to reschedule two shows.

CTD: How do you see your work impacting the Theatre’s mission and the broader Durham community?

LS: Because education is a big part of our mission, my work has a profound impact. I see my role not only as a facilitator of bringing the arts to students but as the builder of future audiences. Children who see themselves as patrons of the arts from a young age are more likely to sustain that with time. I work to build a place where everyone feels a sense of belonging, sees themselves reflected in the programs they attend, and gets a glimpse into cultures and art forms that are new to them.

CTD: Is there a particular project or initiative you’re especially excited about right now?

LS: I am excited to launch the 26-27 season of Arts Discovery, Family Saturday and Sensory Friendly which will all go live on Friday, June 5. These seasons were all mine to plan over the last year, and I am thrilled to finally get to share them with our public.

CTD: Outside of work, what are some of your favorite hobbies or ways to spend your free time?

LS:Outside of work, I enjoy reading (both paper and audio books), walking with my husband and dogs, playing Mahjong with friends and watching favorite TV shows with my daughter before she heads off to college in the fall (Gilmore Girls and How I Met Your Mother mostly). Traveling is also a love, with my family and sister, especially cruising and seeing shows in NYC, whenever I can. Oh, and movies. I sometimes find myself back at the theater after work or on the weekends to see something here!

CTD: What’s one fun fact about you that colleagues might not know?

LS:When I was in college, I sang in a backup choir for Barry Manilow when he came to perform in Greensboro. I’m also obsessed with Neil Patrick Harris.