ERIN Evarts
38 | Lyric Theatre | Executive Director
Residence: Colchester
Career highlight(s): To date, I’m most proud of the work I have done with the Lyric Community in the last 19 months. In a time when arts organizations across the globe closed their doors, Lyric’s stayed open and we were able to continue to serve our community. 
Not only did we continue to provide creative outlets for our volunteers, but perhaps most importantly we worked with the City of Burlington to make 27,000 masks last year. I am as proud of this work as any show Lyric has ever produced, and I remain determined to build a safe and cooperative foundation within our community to ensure we are able to continue to provide creative opportunities for performers and audiences alike no matter the circumstances. 
Community Involvement: I’ve have had the opportunity to work with dozens of non-profits as a volunteer over the years. Starting in middle school, I always loved our “service days” when we got to drop in somewhere and do meaningful work. That sense of accomplishment for doing a good deed became the seed for my lifelong commitment to non-profit work and volunteerism. I’ve been a volunteer with Lyric Theatre (before I got a job here), Stowe Theatre Guild, Ronald McDonald House, Champlain Housing Trust, the Junior League of the Champlain Valley, Vermont Foodbank, Planned Parenthood, and I recently joined the Leadership Champlain Alumni Committee. I’ve also been honored to work as a guide/coach for others looking to explore theatre and the non-profit sector in our community.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? I grew up in Vermont, it is gorgeous! In a small state grassroots work makes a huge difference and the artistic community here continues to make large contributions both inside the state and across the globe. I’d also be lost without the love and support of my family who are local.
Favorite part of your job: The opportunity to mentor and shepherd new creative projects. I absolutely love listening to a great idea and being given the chance to help someone make it a reality. I love that in my position I can use the Lyric infrastructure and the power of over 300 volunteers to encourage and support and amplify the work of so many creative people.
Most inspiring mentor and why: Robin Fawcett, Allie Stickney, and Anne Levesque have all had a profound impact on who I am.
They taught me to find the magic in fleeting moments, to be present, the strength in silence, that you always lead by example, and the power in asking questions. These women believed in me, taught me, laughed with me, and probably most importantly took the time to correct my missteps with grace, honesty, and care.
What is the best career advice you have received? On my first day of work at Wake Robin, “Everyone comes to work wanting to do a good job, no one wakes up and thinks – I’m going to make a mistake today or ruin so-and-so’s day or jam the copier.” This assumption changed the way I felt about work and in practice it will always yield the best in people.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: During the pandemic I moonlighted as Mrs. Claus – bringing a bit of magic (via Zoom) to kiddos who couldn’t go see Santa in person.
Favorite downtime activity: Cross-stitch and old movies.
Favorite Super Hero and why: Leslie Knope – because she says things like: "One person's annoying is another's inspiring and heroic."
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: Affordable Housing and Education are at the top of my list.
What is the one song on your playlist that are you embarrassed to tell your best friend? I know for a fact that her playlist is much more embarrassing than mine ;)
What career goal(s) would you like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years? I’d like to establish an Endowment for Lyric Theatre, get my Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate, and continue to work with arts leaders in our community to build a strong state infrastructure for arts education and appreciation.
How has your job changed since this pandemic? The pandemic gave us an opportunity to refocus the work we do through a much more inclusive lens, while expanding the tent to invite in new partners and participants from more diverse backgrounds.