Tener Wade

Summary

Collaborative nonprofit Leader

I am a mission-oriented nonprofit director with solid experience managing visual and performing arts organizations. With a community theatre and event production background, I love enabling people to create, celebrate, and learn through the arts. As a collaborative leader, I listen intentionally, communicate clearly, and plan strategically to grow community impact.

Experience

Your Theatre Inc. – New Bedford, Massachusetts – 2024

Executive DIRECTOR – 2024

  • Coming soon

Northwind Art – Port Townsend, Washington – 2022 to 2024

Operations DIRECTOR – 2023-2024

  • Directed new projects and managed the leadership team for effective programming.

  • Oversaw day-to-day internal operations and directed general fundraising efforts.

  • Supported the executive director with strategic planning, staff development, and special projects.

Development Manager – 2022-2023

  • Developed and coordinated fundraising appeals and donor engagement events.

  • Assisted the executive director with major gifts and development communications.

  • Managed reporting, trends, and donor tracking for contributed income and grants.

Amelia Community Theatre – Fernandina Beach, Florida – 2016 to 2021

Executive DIRECTOR – 2019-2021

  • Reported to the Board of Directors and served on all Board committees.

  • Oversaw all day-to-day operations and led with a strong vision to fulfill the organization’s mission.

  • Responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with swift adaptation, ensuring near-continuous operation.

    • Redesigned all production processes to support limited audiences and quality live streaming.

    • Enacted safety measures leading to zero onsite infections for staff or volunteers.

    • Provided live stream and recording opportunities to multiple other nonprofit organizations.

    • Increased individual donations by 50% and concluded the fiscal year with no unplanned losses.

Associate Director – 2017-2019

  • Developed and maintained an active theatre season of almost 120 performances each year.

  • Directed summer educational programming for children ages 7-17.

  • Directed productions and coached new directors, ensuring the quality of production and process.

  • Maintained positive relationships with volunteer leaders, donors, and sponsors.

Production Manager – 2016-2017

  • Managed budgets and schedules for all in-house productions and guest artists.

  • Implemented Theatre for Young Audience programming.

  • Coordinated more than 400 active volunteers each year.

  • Developed and executed long-term capital improvement projects.

Encore Event Technologies – Amelia Island, Florida – 2016 to 2017

Onsite Technician and Event Liaison – 2016-2017

  • Provided production, lights, audio, and projection services for Omni Convention Center events.

  • Taught guest presenters how to use projection and conference equipment with swift professionalism.

  • Resolved communication errors between technicians and guests before noticeable event impact.

Walt Disney World – Orlando, Florida – 2015 to 2016

Entertainment Technician and Trainer – 2015-2016

  • Worked in groups and as a team leader to install and maintain lighting, audio, projection, and pyrotechnics for stage shows and events.

  • Trained new employees in spotlight operation, moving light repair, and lighting control systems.

  • Worked backstage for standing shows, primarily through Hollywood Studios.

Bryan College  – Dayton, Tennessee – 2011 to 2015

Technical Director – 2013-2015

  • Managed and instructed student crews for lighting and scenic construction.

  • Planned, budgeted, and executed capital improvement projects.

  • Designed productions and drafted technical specifications for student crews.

  • Promoted from Carpenter(2011) to Shop Foreman(2012) to Technical Director(2013).

Cumberland County Playhouse – Crossville, Tennessee – 2014

Assistant Director internship – 2014

  • Directed specific scenes while assisting the Producing Executive Director.

  • Managed technical crew and oversaw production expenses and records.

  • Facilitated communication with third parties, venues, and volunteers.

Skills

Strategic Planning

Budget Analysis 

Community Relations

Project Management

Marketing Communications

Arts Management

Interests

Writing
Theatre
Automobile Repair
Pipe Organs
Photography

Other Positions

Janitor
Electrician
Event Photographer
Audio Technician
Website Designer

Education

BS-Theatre: magna cum laude

Bryan College, Dayton, Tennessee

Directing Portfolio

A few images From some of my favorite Shows I have Directed

Shows include: You Can’t Take It With You (2021), The Importance of Being Earnest (2021), Those Who Fall in Love like Anchors Dropped Upon the Ocean Floor (2021), A Christmas Story (2019), Frozen Jr. (2019), The Tempest [adapted] (2019), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2019), This Girl Laughs This Girl Cries This Girl Does Nothing (2018), King Lear [adapted] (2018), A Midsummer Night's Dream (2018), The Pillowman (2018), Constellations (2017), Macbeth [adapted] (2017), Marjorie Prime (2017), The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [abridged] (2016), The Tempest (2015),