Etta Sanders
Executive Director
Etta Marie Sanders has studied many genres of art and by doing so found joy and respect for those that excel at their craft. She received a scholarship for music studies at Texas State University as a cellist, but soon changed her major to Theater and graduate with a BFA-Acting. She was fortunate to work with dedicated faculty in the Theater Department that taught her a love for hard work that was dedicated to a communal goal. She honed her craft working with: Larry Hovis, Denis Maganza, G. W. Bailey, Fred March, Jay Jennings, and Richard Soders. Upon graduation Etta moved to Austin. During the early 2000's, she volunteered for different theater companies searching for the organization that had a balance of artistic excellence and a commitment social change. She was fortunate to work with The Rude Mechanicals, Zach Scott Theater, The Dirigo Group, Hyde Park Theater, and found her home with Salvage Vanguard Theater. Working alongside Artistic Director Jason Neulander, Etta ensconced herself in the Austin New Works Theater Community. Motivated by the high artistic integrity of her colleges and inspired by the social change the company sought through the Artist Residency Program, Artreach, and SVT press, Etta was dedicated to building Salvage Vanguard Theater into a community stalwart. Etta served as Production Stage Manager and Company Manager for 8 years at which time Salvage Vanguard produced works by Dan Dietz, Ruth Margraft, Caridad Svich, Colin D. Swanson, Graham Reynolds, and more. SVT was rewarded with many years of Best Theatre Company in Austin, Austin Critics Table Awards, B. Iden Payne Awards, and was frequent on the Top Ten lists. In 2006, Etta was the Project Manager on the building of Salvage Vanguard Theater's facility. A warehouse within the cherrywood neighbor was transformed into an Art Center housing 2 theaters, a gallery, dressing rooms, and technology rooms. The thoughtful design and construction of the facility allows for reduced rates that allow non-traditional artists to present their work and all patrons the availability to view it.Etta took a position as the Business Manager of the Austin Circle of Theaters in 2008 and worked with Latifah Taormina and the Board of Directors to transform that organization into the Austin Creative Alliance. Following the ideas identified in the Create Austin Plan, the ACA expanded their services from focusing on theater to all creative industry. While working with the ACA, Etta had the opportunity to help write and secure a grant for the New Works Theater Community with the Andrew Mellon Foundation. Under the leadership of Etta Sanders, Caroline Rect, and Heather Barfield, and working through a consensus model, a community of over 100 individuals and 30 companies worked for 3 years creating a strategic plan for community sustainability. The result of which is a resource sharing, community collaborative endeavor that will strengthen the New Works Community, sustain and strengthen the high quality work that is being created. Etta was hired as Executive Director of Tapestry Dance Company and Academy in June of 2013. She will continue her work of promoting art that touches the hearts and minds, and strengthen social change through art.
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