GENEVA NY --- The Smith Center for the Arts announces the appointment of Rebecca Burditt as a new member of its Board of Directors. She joins The Smith’s Board after serving on its Film Committee since 2016. Her three-year term begins immediately.
Burditt is an Assistant Professor in the Media and Society Program at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva. She teach courses on the history of advertising, global musicals and media and theory.
While spearheading the Film Committee this year, Burditt programmed the Voting Rights Film Series, which included documentaries and narrative films related to the history and struggles of obtaining voting rights around the world. She has facilitated numerous collaborations with HWS faculty to bring films to The Smith that support the themes of their courses. For example, The Smith's Britpop Film Series gave students of Professor Rob Carson's Contemporary British Fictions course the opportunity to view a variety of popular films about the music scene in the United Kingdom from the 1960s to the 1990s.
"Becky has been a great partner in thinking creatively about bringing important films to The Smith,” said Executive Director Susie Monagan. “Whether she's forging partnerships with HWS colleagues to support their course objectives by screening relevant films or making toast for ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ prop bags, Becky has had the goals of The Smith in mind. I can't wait to see what she will bring to her Trustee role."
“The Board is grateful that Becky is willing to expand her engagement from her marvelous work with the Film Committee to service as a director. She will enhance the leadership of The Smith with her skills, her knowledge, and her artistic interests,” said Mitchell Wilber, Board Chair and Treasurer.
“I am so honored to be able to serve as a part of The Smith's Board of Directors. The Smith has been a big part of my life since I moved to Geneva, and I'm looking forward to contributing what I can to the extraordinary work that the board and the staff do to make this institution such a vital part of our community,” said Burditt.
The remaining slate of members of the Board of Directors are as follows:
Officers
Mitchell Wilber, Chair/Treasurer
Vinny Aliperti, Vice Chair
Kelby Russell, Secretary
Directors
Martha Bond
Kirsten Burrall
Patty Gilbert
Joan Grela
Murray Heaton
Nancy McDermott
Mara O’Laughlin
Jan Regan
Harrison Schutzer
Anthony Shelton
Ford Weiskittel
Chris Woodworth
“We thank all of our board members for their tireless commitment to The Smith,” said Monagan.
The Smith Center for the Arts, stewards of the historic Smith Opera House, provides diverse arts and educational enrichment opportunities year-round for Finger Lakes residents and visitors. The Smith Opera House is at 82 Seneca St. in Geneva, NY. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. For more information, call 315-781-5483 during box office hours or visit www.thesmith.org.