{"id":39049,"date":"2026-05-19T13:14:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T17:14:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.glensfalls.com\/glensfallsbusinessjournal\/?p=39049"},"modified":"2026-05-19T13:14:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T17:14:31","slug":"park-theater-names-new-executive-director-to-lead-community-focused-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.glensfalls.com\/glensfallsbusinessjournal\/2026\/05\/park-theater-names-new-executive-director-to-lead-community-focused-growth\/","title":{"rendered":"Park Theater Names New Executive Director To Lead Community-Focused Growth"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
John Snyder, The Park Theater Foundation\u2019s executive director, stands outside the theater.
Courtesy Park Theater<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Ann Donnelly<\/p>\n

The Park Theater Foundation\u2019s board of directors recently announced John Snyder as its new executive director, ushering in a new chapter for the downtown arts hub. Snyder, who relocated from Michigan\u2019s Upper Peninsula, officially took the reins March 2, bringing more than a decade of nonprofit and arts leadership to the organization.<\/p>\n

Snyder comes to upstate New York from the Calumet Theatre, a historic venue in a remote Michigan village of 700 residents. Operating since 1900, the theater relied heavily on community support to attract talent to an area Snyder called \u201cthe end of the road.\u201d He hopes to bring a similar community-centric approach to Glens Falls, drawing on a background that includes nearly two decades of performing in bands before he transitioned to nonprofit management.<\/p>\n

\u201cI come from Michigan\u2019s Upper Peninsula, a region shaped by resilience and a strong sense of community, where the concepts of quiet determination, grit, and perseverance are a way of life,\u201d Snyder said.<\/p>\n

Arriving in Glens Falls, Snyder was immediately struck by the robust local arts scene, noting the impressive presence of the Glens Falls Symphony and the Hyde Collection. He has spent his first few months conducting door-to-door networking, visiting downtown business owners to introduce himself, discuss sponsorships and break through the modern clutter of digital communication.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s hard to ignore somebody when they show up, and they don\u2019t have an appointment, and that\u2019s kind of the way I like to do things,\u201d Snyder said.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/b>The Park Theater Foundation, which manages all performances on the historic stage, currently operates with a lean staff of 2.5 employees. Program Director Chris Ristau continues to handle the venue\u2019s bookings, consistently curating high-level talent ranging from touring artists such as California-based Chris Pierce to regional acts such as Saratoga Springs\u2019 Reese Fulmer and the Carriage House Band. To support the small staff, the foundation relies on a dedicated roster of dozens of volunteers who manage the box office and check-in duties on show nights.<\/p>\n

Under Snyder\u2019s leadership, the foundation is expanding its reach with several new community-driven initiatives. A major priority is fostering collaboration within the local nonprofit sector. The theater recently launched a \u201cNonprofit of the Month\u201d program, selecting the Moreau Community Center as its inaugural partner for May. Through a dedicated promotional code on the theater\u2019s website, patrons receive a 10% discount on tickets, and the foundation donates 10% of those sales directly to the partner organization. Snyder noted that the theater is actively accepting online nominations for future nonprofit partners.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all raise each other up,\u201d Snyder said. \u201cWe all have to work as a team in the nonprofit world. If you\u2019re not helping people, what are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

The theater\u2019s summer programming also is rapidly expanding. The foundation will launch \u201cComedy Underground\u201d on June 3 in the building\u2019s basement space, formerly Doc\u2019s Restaurant. Designed with a speakeasy vibe, the comedy showcases are scheduled for alternating Wednesdays to attract crowds winding down from downtown\u2019s \u201cTake a Bite\u201d events.<\/p>\n

In addition, the foundation is stepping outside its own venue. On July 25, it will host \u201cBands and Brews\u201d at Dancing Grain Farm Brewery. The event will run from 4 to 9 p.m. and will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks. This event joins the foundation\u2019s traditional summer series, which features free Friday night concerts with regional bands at Crandall Park. The theater will also continue its popular Third Thursday Jazz series and \u201cRewind\u201d tribute shows.<\/p>\n

Snyder noted that while the Park Theater boasts an incredible listening room where patrons can \u201chear a pin drop between songs,\u201d he is eager to see audiences let loose. Though the crowds are respectful, Snyder admitted he is sometimes the person moving the most in the room during upbeat performances.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t wait to see someone dance in this room,\u201d Snyder said. \u201cI\u2019ve been waiting patiently.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he looks to the future, Snyder is focused on expanding the theater\u2019s audience, reaching both lifelong Glens Falls residents and those in surrounding communities. The venue also remains available for private rentals and events, with the option to include catering services from Park Street Hospitality.<\/p>\n

\u201cI look forward to building upon The Park Theater Foundation\u2019s mission, expanding programming, and collaborating with local partners, artists, and supporters to ensure it continues to serve as a vibrant cultural hub for the region,\u201d Snyder said.<\/p>\n

For those looking to get involved or learn more, the box office is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.parktheatergf.com.<\/p>\n

Photo of John Snyder, supplied by The Park Foundation:https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/11uGEiGmKhJlsgmIBNiJSs_ZBvMpKDUH5\/view?usp=sharing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Ann Donnelly The Park Theater Foundation\u2019s board of directors recently announced John Snyder as its new executive director, ushering in a new chapter for the downtown arts hub. Snyder, who relocated from Michigan\u2019s Upper Peninsula, officially took the reins March 2, bringing more than a decade of nonprofit and arts leadership to the organization. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":89,"featured_media":39050,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39049","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-news"],"yoast_head":"\r\nPark Theater Names New Executive Director To Lead Community-Focused Growth - Glens Falls Business Journal<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.glensfalls.com\/glensfallsbusinessjournal\/2026\/05\/park-theater-names-new-executive-director-to-lead-community-focused-growth\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Park Theater Names New Executive Director To Lead Community-Focused Growth - Glens Falls Business Journal\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By Ann Donnelly The Park Theater Foundation\u2019s board of directors recently announced John Snyder as its new executive director, ushering in a new chapter for the downtown arts hub. 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