During my tenure at Dad’s Garage, I had the pleasure of writing and appearing in many different publications.
2021 Atlanta 500: Arts, Sports, & Entertainment
Lara Smith moved to Atlanta in 2007 to become the development director of Dad’s Garage, moving to Actor’s Express for a couple of years in 2010 and then stepping into her current role in 2012. When the theater lost its home of 18 years, Smith helped secure a temporary space and led the purchase of a long-term home, which opened in 2015 in the Old Fourth Ward, through a nontraditional capital campaign. In 2015 she was one of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40, and she was part of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute class of 2017. President of the board of the Old Fourth Ward Business Association, she focuses on arts advocacy to ensure that the creative industry has the support it needs to flourish.
How One Georgia Theater Brought Delight to the Polls
Dad’s Garage Theatre—an improv and scripted comedy theater in Atlanta, where I work as managing director—is typically a very busy space. In normal times, we have eight shows a week for the public, plus rehearsals and workshops, and our administrative offices are on site. But like so many cultural institutions during the pandemic, our building has sat mostly empty since mid-March. Still, because we’re a nonprofit, I wanted to find ways for our community to benefit from the space, so I was excited when I heard that Fulton County was looking for more polling locations, and even more excited when we were selected! Voting this year was more important than ever, and I knew that Dad’s Garage could make the experience unique and enjoyable.
Atlanta Arts Organizations Predicted To Lose More Than $10 Million During COVID-19 Shutdown
“I found myself over the past three or four weeks unaware of how much time has passed. I kept saying, ‘We need data. We need this survey. We need to be able to share kind of a snapshot of what’s happening in this sector.’ I finally realized that I had to stop saying it or do the survey,” Smith said.
Can We Say ‘Yes, And’ to This Crisis?
What a time to be alive. This is a phrase I have said so often I actually got it tattooed on my body. I love it for its ambiguity—it’s not making any judgments, it can be used both positively and negatively, and it reminds me of the magic in the world. We are truly lucky to be here, breathing air, living our lives.
Dad’s Garage hires Lara Smith as managing director
Dad’s Garage Theatre Co. on Tuesday named Lara Smith managing director.
She’ll take the position in August as the company kicks off its 18th season.