Gesa Power House Theatre announces the hiring of a new Executive Director, Amy Watkins, effective March 1, 2022.

“I am delighted to share that the board has hired Amy Watkins as Executive Director,” says Board President Erica Walter. “Many of us know her as an enthusiastic volunteer and patron with a passion for the arts and our community. She also has an impressive resume and skill set in nonprofit leadership and fundraising, which will be vital to advancing our mission of generating a strong, inclusive community through the performing arts.”

When Amy and her husband Mike moved to Walla Walla in 2017, they were thrilled to discover Gesa Power House Theatre and attend many performances at the venue.

“My first love and passion in life was the performing arts,” says Amy. “I studied dance and theater from an early age into adulthood, and although I didn’t pursue acting as a career, I am a life-long supporter and patron of the performing arts. I love the feeling of experiencing live events, especially in community with others, and the Power House provides a place for people to have that experience.”

Amy Watkins brings many years of professional nonprofit experience in development and fundraising, including working at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Whitman College, and Providence St. Mary Foundation. She has also volunteered and served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations throughout her career, including Gesa Power House Theatre.

“I am deeply appreciative to the founders and the history of Gesa Power House Theatre,” says Amy. “I look forward to working with our staff and volunteers and contributing to the vision of this organization to be a vibrant part of the community.”

Gesa Power House Theatre has been operating fully as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since July 2020. The current Board of Directors are: Erica Walter, President; Michael Howell, Vice President; John Jamison, Treasurer; Kelly Black; Melissa Clubb; Michelle Conner; Ted Cox; Karl Eckhardt; Bryan Ford; Darcie Furlan; Rodney Moll; Nelly Pilares; and Tricia Rice.

Gesa Power House Theatre is on the Washington State Building Preservation Commission list of State historic buildings and on the National Register of Historic Places. The venue has grown into a local gathering place for live performances, including in-house productions, rentals by outside groups, and private events. Up to 20,000 people attend events in the historic building each year.

Gesa Power House Theatre is located at 111 N. 6th Avenue in downtown Walla Walla. For more information or to view the current calendar of events, visit www.phtww.org.

---

About Gesa Power House Theatre

The historic Gesa Power House Theatre is a 300-seat performing arts venue, located in downtown Walla Walla. The 120-year-old building was once the Walla Walla Gas Plant, built to produce coal gas used to light the streets, businesses, and homes of Walla Walla. In 2011 the Gesa Power House Theatre building was transformed into a state-of-the-art playhouse for live performance. The interior design of the theatre was inspired by Shakespeare’s own intimate Blackfriars Theatre in London, England.

The Gesa Power House Theatre is on the Washington State Building Preservation Commission list of State historic buildings and on the National Register of Historic Places. The venue also hosts a variety of other cultural events, musical concerts, and private events (including weddings).

Gesa Power House Theatre is owned and operated by Power House Theatre Walla Walla, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

For additional marketing and media information, including interviews and hi-res images, contact:

Bradley Nelson
Media Contact
Phone: 509.529-6500
webmaster@phtww.org

Gesa Power House Theatre
111 North Sixth Ave.
Walla Walla, Washington 99362