Carolina Theatre Welcomes New Development Team

Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc., the nonprofit organization that operates the majestic Carolina Theatre of Durham, is pleased to announce the arrival of a new development team. This summer, the organization welcomed fundraising veteran Ellen Stone as senior director of development. In late November of this year, Audrey Shore joined the nonprofit as the development manager. Both new staff members come to the theatre from North Carolina museums.

Stone brings over 40 years of experience in fundraising — regionally, nationally and internationally — during 25 years in sports marketing and, most recently, 14 years as Director of Development at the North Carolina Museum of Art. At the museum, Stone directed a membership and development team that raised critical private funds on an annual basis to supplement state funding as the museum expanded its programs and campus development. In addition, she oversaw the museum’s largest campaign in its history, the $50 million Our Transformation campaign, in conjunction with the building of the West Gallery building in 2010. A native of Durham, Stone is thrilled to bring her development skills ‘back home’ and to the iconic Carolina Theatre.

“The Carolina Theatre plays a unique role in the Durham community as it partners with a variety of businesses and other nonprofits,” Stone said. “The diverse film and live event programming, along with an impressive offering of performances for school children and families throughout the school year, makes the theatre a treasure for the region. Audrey’s and my background in the Triangle visual arts world provides us with special insights into opportunities to partner and collaborate with those interested in the arts and peer institutions, as well as find ways to navigate a competitive fundraising landscape.”

A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Master of Public Administration program, Shore spent the past two years at UNC’s Ackland Art Museum as the communications associate. She led the museum’s digital communications, including social media, email marketing and website, and re-established the museum’s press relations efforts. Throughout 2018, she managed the museum’s 60th-anniversary marketing campaign and helped launch the year-long anniversary celebration. No stranger to development or the Triangle, Shore has worked in fundraising for advocacy and higher education organizations and political campaigns in the area since 2016.

“I am incredibly excited for the opportunity to work for such a historical and integral part of Durham. The theatre is doing amazing work in the community and I am eager to build on its success to help continuing growing its capacity,” Shore said.

Under CEO & President Rebecca Newton, the Carolina Theatre is well-positioned for growth and continued excellence.

“The theatre has been, and always will be, a place for the community to gather and experience the diversity of performing arts. We want to recruit and retain a strong team, and continue to hire exceptional and passionate people,” Newton said.

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About The Carolina Theatre of Durham:

Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which manages the city-owned Carolina Theatre at 309 W. Morgan Street, Durham, NC 27701. Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc. is dedicated to presenting vibrant, thought-provoking film and live performances that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of downtown Durham and the Triangle Region.