IndyFringe hires Jennifer Cooper as its new executive director

IndyFringe has hired Jennifer Cooper as its new executive director. She began her tenure Friday as the head of the theater and festival after a national search, according to a release from the organization.

She comes to Indianapolis from the Montana International Choral Festival, where she worked the past five years as executive director.

"We make a life by how we commit and dedicate ourselves. The performing arts, culture, and community are my passion and my life’s work," Cooper said in the release. "I can’t wait to get started."

Justin Brady departed after two years as CEO on Jan. 31 to become the director of development for the Berkshire Theatre Group in Massachusetts. Jeffrey Dalstrom, IndyFringe's associate director, was selected as the interim executive director.

The IndyFringe headquarters are at the IndyFringe Basile and Indy Eleven theaters near the corner of St. Clair Street and College Avenue. The organization holds programs year-round and is especially known for its annual multiweek festival with traditional and nontraditional theater, dance, music, magic, comedy and improvisation by performers from all over the world.

Cooper, who is a United Kingdom native, has a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and an MBA from the University of Montana School of Business.

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"She understands the nature of artistic festivals, has the skills and talent needed to grow our audience base and our talent base, and clearly envisions the performing arts as a critical aspect of a community’s character. We’re thrilled to have her to join IndyFringe," board president Bob DeVoss stated in the release.

Cooper's family already is building roots in Indianapolis. Her husband accepted a teaching position in the Jordan College of the Arts at Butler University, and the couple have two kids and two Corgis, according to the release. Her parents moved to Central Indiana in February as well when her father took a job in Anderson.

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Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or [email protected]. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyFringe hires a new executive director