Keywords
Rural nonprofit leadership, community theatre, leadership transition, feminist pragmatism, narrative inquiry
Abstract
Leadership transitions in nonprofit organizations present both challenges and opportunities, particularly in rural community-based theatres where organizational identity is often deeply connected to individual leaders. This study employs narrative inquiry, guided by the lens of Feminist Pragmatism, to explore leadership change at Playhouse in the Park, a long-standing rural community theatre in Murray, Kentucky. Through interviews, reflections, and observations, the study identifies five emergent themes shaping directors’ experiences: expectations, programming content, personality, relational expectations, and the balance between cautiousness and freedom. Findings suggest that the tensions inherent in rural nonprofit leadership transitions—rather than serving as obstacles—function as necessary forces that sustain organizational movement and adaptability. This inquiry highlights the importance of integrating theory, research, and practice, while underscoring the need for broader conversations about leadership sustainability within rural arts organizations.
Recommended Citation
Kieffer, Elise Lael
(2025)
"Exploring Themes in Leadership Transition at a Rural Nonprofit Community Theatre: An Accidental Research Project,"
Journal of Nonprofit Innovation: Vol. 5:
Iss.
4, Article 5.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/joni/vol5/iss4/5
Included in
Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, Nonprofit Administration and Management Commons, Nonprofit Studies Commons, Organization Development Commons