Opera Santa Barbara (OSB) development director Marylove Thralls will be vacating her position to return to her marketing consulting practice, ML Creative Consulting, as of Sept. 1, OSB has announced.
Over the past two years, Thralls has shown leadership, courage, and dedication to OSB. She previously served as a marketing and development associate for OSB and returned in 2017 first as interim director and eventually as marketing director.
She currently serves on the board of the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation and is a member of the city’s arts advisory committee.
“Her talent and her love for our company, our community, and our art form has touched every area of our activities,” said Kostis Protopapas, artistic and general director.
“I am also extremely grateful to her personally. She was the only staff member when I became general director in December 2017, and with her tireless support and good counsel we have built the best team I have ever worked with,” he said. “Her work ethic, growth mindset, and true class have set the tone for team OSB for many years to come.”
“It’s been a challenge and a great opportunity to be a part of OSB’s reorganization and revitalization, largely due to the vision of Kostis and his ability to build a talented team that will lead the company into the next quarter century,” Thralls said. “I will miss them all but am also eager to take on other projects, hopefully in the arts arena.”
Nina Dunbar, who has served as a contract grant writer for OSB the last two seasons, has stepped in as director of development.
Founded in 1994 by Marilyn Gilbert and Nathan Rundlett, Opera Santa Barbara has staged more than 70 operas and devoted thousands of hours to community outreach. OSB is dedicated to the core passions: celebrating and championing the breadth and beauty of opera, and contributing to the cultural enrichment of the Santa Barbara community.
Additional information available at www.operasb.org. Opera Santa Barbara is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization.
— Joyce Familara for Opera Santa Barbara.