Next Act, Inc., the not-for-profit that formed in 2014 to create an endowment for, completely renovate, and, ultimately, in 2018, reopen the historic Astra Theatre in downtown Jasper, is seeking applicants for new members for its board of directors.  The request for applicants follows the plan for three of its longer-tenured members to resign at year’s end:  Leslie Hamby, Marc Steczyk, and Selena Vonderheide.

“We felt that the timing was right for us to depart,” said Marc Steczyk, the president of Next Act’s board of directors since its 2014 inception.  “We accomplished what we set out to do and that was to purchase and renovate the Astra.  We have been able to oversee the first full season of programming and feel confident that the remaining members, in harmony with new members, are set to lead the organization and the Astra into a new era of growth and sustainability.”

Interested candidates may send their resumes and/or qualifications to info@thenextact.org or may phone 812-566-1935 to request additional information.

“It has been an honor to serve on this board and we can’t express how appreciative we have been and are for the support the community has put into the entire Astra rejuvenation effort,” said Leslie Hamby, the board’s chairperson since 2014.  “It is the community’s excitement and involvement that has helped keep us driving forward in our endeavors.”

The rejuvenated Astra’s fall 2018 schedule includes a performance by Pokey LaFarge on October 6, a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on October 27, and an acoustic-trio performance featuring Rodney Crowell on November 3.  There are also several events in November and December that have yet to be made public.

“With the number of events, both announced and not announced, this fall and winter, there is no better time for new members, new energy, and new ideas to come forward and help take Next Act into the future,” said Selena Vonderheide, a key member of the Next Act leadership team and project manager for the Astra’s renovation.  “Next Act’s future is bright and I know that all three of us look forward to watching it continue to blossom into the future.”

Tickets are still available for the October 6 solo-acoustic LaFarge performance, The Rocky Horror Picture Show screening on October 27, and the Crowell performance on November 3.  Tickets for Next Act, Inc., events at the Astra Theatre can be purchased directly at www.AstraTheatre.Eventbrite.com.

The Astra Theatre is owned and operated by Next Act, Inc., a 501c3 that has raised nearly $2 million dollars since forming in October of 2014—all of which has been used to create an endowment in support of the venue’s perpetual sustainability, purchase the facility, and then completely renovate it.  For more information about Next Act, the Astra, or to learn how you might help, please visit www.TheNextAct.org or follow the organization on these social media outlets:  www.facebook.com/TheNextAct/, www.instagram.com/thenextact, and/or www.twitter.com/nextact_inc.