The Blog

Robert “Bob” Arleigh White Joins ACT as Artistic Director

The Board of Directors of Asheville Community Theatre (ACT) is pleased to announce the selection of Robert “Bob” Arleigh White to serve as the next Artistic Director of the community theatre. This position will work collaboratively with ACT’s Managing Director to co-lead the organization.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bob as our new Artistic Director,” shared Dr. Elizabeth Huddleston, ACT Board President. “Bob stood out as our top candidate with his many years of experience and his enormous passion for theatre and the arts! Those who know him well describe him as ‘thoughtful … charismatic … trustworthy and authentic … a person with great integrity … a visionary and one of the most creative people I have ever met,’ and those of us who met him see all of these attributes as well. Asheville Community Theatre is so fortunate to have Bob come home to the mountains!”

White has over thirty years’ experience overseeing and advising nonprofit arts organizations in North Florida where he has also been active in promoting a host of arts related, community and civil rights initiatives. Previously, he served as the Executive Artistic Director for Theatre Jacksonville. With a history of over 100 years, the theatre is among the oldest in America. There White was directly responsible for the artistic direction of fifty plays and worked to produce dozens more. A recognized artist in his own right, Bob has received numerous awards for his performances and directorial undertakings.

“This is my dream job in my dream city! A move to Asheville has been in my mind for more than 20 years,” shared White. “The opportunity to work with ACT was an irresistible lure!”

ACT has restructured the organization to create a collaborative leadership model between the Artistic Director and the Managing Director. Tamara Sparacino, currently serving as Interim Executive Director, had served as Managing Director for many years and will return to that position.

“I am very excited to launch this new co-leadership approach, and I am eager to partner with Bob,” said Sparacino. “He’ll be a great addition to our team.”

Huddleston agrees. “Our beloved theatre is coming out of a pandemic with great strength and is in the midst of changes to our organizational structure. I believe Bob is the perfect fit to co-lead us through this next chapter of history!”

White will begin working with Asheville Community Theatre remotely on March 15 with Monday, May 2 as his official first day.

“I can hardly wait to begin!” added White.