After what it describes as an "extensive national search," the City Opera House has named Chad Lindsey its new executive director. Lindsey will take the helm August 1, succeeding the retiring Diana Baribeau.

Lindsey has years of experience in the arts industry, as both a professional actor and head of a theater and mixed-use arts complex for the Entertainment Community Fund (ECF — formerly The Actors Fund — in New York). He also served as the artistic director of avant garde theater company Hook & Eye Theater.

In a statement, Lindsey — a Michigan native — said the City Opera House "is a unique artistic and community force. I’m honored to be taking over where Di left off, and guiding the next chapter of such a historic and loved space. I look forward to working with City Opera House’s board, artists, staff, volunteers, and patrons to ensure that we remain a shimmering, surprising, and relevant cultural home for the region. Live arts are an essential ingredient in the recipe for a healthy city. We come together in a theater space to celebrate our best, collaboratively dream, process the world as it is, and to understand each other more deeply...thanks in advance for welcoming me and sharing how best to serve the greater Grand Traverse area in this exciting role."