STAGES ST. LOUIS Announces Position Appointments in Development and Marketing

STAGES ST. LOUIS has announced new additions to the administrative staff. Lara Turek assumed the position of Manager of Donor Relations in January, Kristen Goodman has been promoted to Director of Institutional Advancement, and Eric Pugh is returning to his role as Marketing Director in late February.

Lara Turek is thrilled to join the STAGES Development team as Manager of Donor R elations where she will be responsible for the growth of individual giving at STAGES in addition to other philanthropic adventures. Lara earned both her B.F.A. in Dance, and her M.F.A. in Arts Management and Leadership from Webster University. Prior to joining the STAGES team, Lara was a Radio City Rockette and performed throughout the country. Lara's Arts Management experience includes Volunteer Coordinator for St. Louis Earth Day, Administrative Intern for St. Louis Dance Theater (now The Big Muddy Dance Company), and Ted Shawn Circle Concierge for Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. Although Lara has had the opportunity to experience several non-profits with a variety of roles, her focus and passion has always remained on fundraising. Lara couldn't be happier to return home to St. Louis after several years of dancing and traveling to give back to the community that has given her so much.

Kristen Goodman joined the STAGES team as Marketing Director in April of 2012, guiding the team to a record-breaking box office season. She is honored to accept a new role as Director of Institutional Advancement where she will be responsible for leading the Development Department, as well as a variety of projects spanning the organization such as patron experience and internal communications. Kristen earned her B.S. in Business Administration with emphases in Marketing and International Business from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Prior to joining the STAGES team, Kristen served as Executive Director of Business & Marketing for Vital VOICE Omnimedia, and as Marketing Assistant for Projects PLUS and One Source Retail. Having produced countless events, shows, fundraisers, and festivals throughout the region, Kristen is an expert at creating memorable and entertaining experiences. A singer and musician herself, Kristen is a Performing Arts enthusiast, and is thrilled to be combining her business skills with her love of musical theatre.

Eric Pugh returns to STAGES as Marketing Director after recently serving as Advertising and Promotions Manager for The Cleveland Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra Miami. Pugh previously held the position from 2010 - 2012. Past experience includes Marketing Director at Florida Studio Theatre (Sarasota, Florida), Public Relations Manager at the World's Largest Professional Dinner Theatre, Carousel Dinner Theatre (Akron, Ohio) and Marketing Director for Cleveland Cinemas (Cleveland, Ohio). Eric received his Bachelor of Arts in Business and Organizational Communication from the University of Akron (Akron, Ohio). His education experience included an abroad study of Communications in London, England and work at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (Cleveland, Ohio). Eric stated, "I am thrilled to return to my roots of musical theatre and my 'home' at STAGES ST. LOUIS."