New Year, New Leadership for Angkor Dance Troupe
By James Ostis
With the new year comes new leadership for one of Lowell’s oldest Cambodian cultural institutions. After four years as the president of the board of directors, Linda Sopheap Sou has been named the new executive director of Angkor Dance Troupe. In her new role, she will oversee much of the day-to-day programmatic elements of the organization. Lianna Kushi, who served as the vice president in 2013, takes over as the new president of the board, which is tasked with providing the overall planning and direction for the troupe.
Sou, the daughter of troupe founder and director of operations Tim Thou, has been involved with the group since its inception and is excited about the latest chapter of what has been a lifelong passion. “It is an honor to take on the role of executive director and to be a part of the team that will make sure our vision comes true.”
Last May at the law offices of Gallagher & Cavanaugh, Angkor Dance Troupe convened a community discussion, “Visioning Angkor’s Future,” in which the organization laid out its short, medium, and long term plans.
That vision already includes a packed calendar for 2014. The Evolution of Cambodian Dance Film Series continues with on January 21, with a free screening of the Monkey Dance at the Lowell National Historical Park Visitors Center. On April 3, Angkor Dance Troupe will collaborate with UMass Lowell’s Arts & Ideas and the World Music Ensemble for a major fundraising performance at the University’s Durgin Hall. The troupe’s annual recital will be held on June 7th where there will be a demonstration of the new annual examination process that will start for the class of 2015. Finally, in October, Angkor Dance Troupe will establish a permanent residency at the Merrimack Repertory Theater in the first year of a multi-year collaboration with the support of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation and Lowell Cultural Council. In addition to these new endeavors, the troupe will continue to provide its full schedule of weekly classes and regular performances at various festivals and cultural events throughout the year.
The training program and the MRT partnership were both goals outlined in the two-year plan at last year’s visioning session. Longer-term goals in process include the establishment of a permanent Lowell Angkor Arts Academy and full-time touring company. With a passionate staff and board of directors, Angkor Dance Troupe has a leadership team in place truly dedicated to the realization of their vision. For more information on Angkor Dance Troupe, please visit www.angkordance.org or call (978) 275-1823.
This article appears in the January 10th edition of KhmerPostUSA
Previously: Angkor Dance Troupe presents Evolution of Cambodian Dance Series
