04/29/2026
As many of you know, Columbia Theater Arts Foundation is built on the dedication of volunteers who give freely of their time and effort in service of our mission to make the theater accessible to everyone in Clark County and beyond. We are grateful to have found someone both highly qualified and willing to step in to help lead us in pursuit of that mission. Please join us in welcoming our new Executive Director, Dr. Christie Petersen!
Christie brings over 25 years of experience in leadership development, organizational strategy, and program design. Throughout her career as a university professor, administrative leader, and organizational facilitator, she has consistently built strong systems, developed effective teams, and helped mission-driven organizations grow with clarity and purpose.
Christie will work alongside Columbia’s Executive Producer, Michael McCormic, Jr., helping ensure that as we pursue excellence on stage, we are building the organizational structure and sustainability needed to support that work for years to come.
Beyond her professional experience, Christie is no stranger to the heart of our mission at Columbia Theater. As a longtime theater parent, she has seen firsthand the impact that programs like Columbia Theater Arts Foundation can have on families in our community. You may have even seen her daughter, Rachael, as the Mother Abbess in our 2025 production of The Sound of Music!
And don't worry, none of the rest of us are going anywhere! Dean Waters recently stepped down as Executive Business Director to fill the open position of Treasurer on our board of Directors. We are incredibly grateful for the work he has done in helping to start this company, and excited to continue working with him in this new capacity.
Please join us in welcoming Christie to the CTAF team. We’re incredibly grateful for her willingness to volunteer her time by stepping into this role and leading alongside the rest of our team.
The stage is yours.
