Submitted photo

The Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association said the exit of Executive Director Carl Daehler will not affect their new season, which begins Oct. 14. Pictured is “Shrek the Musical” which will be performed on Jan. 31, 2013.

slideshow

RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY

PDT Staff Writer

The Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association (SOPAA) said that the departure of Executive Director Dr. Carl Daehler this week will not delay their 2012-13 season at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts.

Daehler announced earlier this week that he was setting down as executive director to accept a position on the faculty at Shawnee State University teaching in the expanding university’s Music Department.

“While the announcement was a surprise to the Board of SOPAA, we have been aware for about a month that the change might be coming,” said SOPAA President Steve Rodeheffer. “I wish Carl best wishes for his new career path. Carl has been an invaluable asset to our Board and has for the last seventeen years guided and otherwise helped SOPAA fulfill its mission of bringing cultural and entertainment programs to the Vern Riffe Center.”

He went on to say Daehler would be greatly missed, but “the show must go on” and the new season will go forward as scheduled. In the meantime, he said the university is already searching for a new executive director.

The new SOPAA season begins Oct. 14 when the Toledo Symphony returns to the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, featuring Conductor Jeffrey Pollock and pianist Michael Boyd playing “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin and a selection of other American composers. Following is The Ohio State University Marching Band on Nov. 7, Empire Brass with Elisabeth von Trapp on Dec. 7, Shrek the Musical on Jan. 31, Ailey II dance company on March 2, A Chorus Line on March 7, Pianist Stewart Goodyear on March 21, The Addams Family on April 1, and Classical guitarist Sharon Isbin on April 23.

Season tickets went on advanced pre-sale to current SOPAA season ticket holders on June 4 until July 23. After that, season tickets and individual show tickets will be available to the public. Tickets for individual shows are available at Ticketmaster locations and at www.ticketmaster.com, or at the McKinley Box Office in the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts and by phone at 740-351-3600.

For more information about the Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association, visit www.sopaa.org.

Ryan Scott Ottney can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 235, or rottney@heartlandpublications.com.