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 Dixon, Illinois, July 28th – The Board of Directors of DIXON STAGE LEFT has announced the promotion of Jimmy Ferraro and Ben Lightner as Interim Co-Executive Directors.  In this new capacity, Ferraro will continue as Creative Director, and Lightner will be Director of Operations and Technical Director.

 Since first joining DIXON STAGE LEFT in October of 2024, Ferraro has served as Artistic Director.  He brought with him years of experience as an Executive Director and Artistic Director in regional theatres. Ferraro’s credits as a producer and director are an outgrowth of decades as an award-winning professional performer throughout the U.S. and overseas, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theatre. As a longtime member of Actors Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, and NYSTA (New York Singing Teachers Association), Ferraro has an extensive teaching background, instructing students in voice, musical theater, and acting for over 35 years.  He is also a playwright, most recently completing a new comedy/drama “She’s on the VERGE…And It’s Only Getting Worse…” which had its first reading with local actors at Dixon Stage Left. He plans on having the world premiere at Dixon Stage Left next season. He also writes, produces, and directs Interactive Musical Comedy Murder Mysteries. Notably is the award-winning production of "MY BIG FAT ITALIAN WEDDING MURDER", which was Ferraro’s first Dixon Stage Left dinner theatre production last November. It toured for 2 years in Florida, North Carolina, and 5 weeks in Chicago, receiving the Chicago Post Readers’ Choice Award. 

During the short time Ferraro has been at Dixon Stage Left, he is credited with a variety of important accomplishments, including 2 sold-out dinner theatre murder mysteries, a new play reading, comedy classes and show, and readers theatre performances. He also has created a Senior Theatre company, giving the opportunity to seniors 55+ a chance to showcase their many talents. Most recently, Ferraro is responsible for procuring a generous grant from Prairie Brome Solar, which will go towards the renovation of the new theatre space.

When asked about the Interim Co- Executive Director promotion, Ferraro says, “I am thrilled with the opportunity for increasing responsibilities, fulfilling the original mission and vision of Dixon Stage Left.” “As Creative Director, I believe in giving the underdog a voice, artistic expression, cultural diversity, opening hearts and minds, finding clarity in complexity, unleashing curiosity, imagining new vistas, honoring nature, honoring humanity.”

Lightner joined Dixon Stage Left in April 2024 as the Technical Director, bringing with him over 15 years of community theatre experience within the Sauk Valley. He has worked within the Dixon High School Theatre Department, serving as the Production Manager, Set Designer, Lead Carpenter, Technical Director, and, most recently, as Director of the fall play. Additionally, he served as the Scenic Director of the Sauk Valley Theatre Alliance from 2019-2023, where he designed and built sets for Sterling High School, Woodlawn Arts Academy, and Sauk Valley Community College. Lightner also volunteers at The Dixon: Historic Theatre, is a member of the Mosaic Theatre Troupe, is part of Discover Dixon’s Arts Coalition, and has participated in shows at Polo Area Community Theatre. Since coming onboard at DSL, Lightner has overseen the renovations of the new location, melding the vision of what Dixon Stage Left has been with where he, Ferraro, the rest of the staff and board, and the community envision it going.

When asked about the promotion to the Interim Co-Executive Director/Director of Operations position, Lightner says, “I am excited to step into this role. It provides an opportunity to continue building the already vibrant arts community within Dixon, specifically, and the larger Sauk Valley area. It is my hope to foster stronger relationships amongst all the arts entities in the area and to repair some of the rifts that have happened between various organizations. I look forward to facilitating the vision of Dixon Stage Left moving forward and creating opportunities for the community in every aspect of theatre.”

Alan Clemens, President of DSL’s Board of Directors, said "Jimmy and Ben presented themselves as the perfect team at this pivotal moment for the organization.  They both bring experience, deep and complementary skill sets, and a love both for this community and for the theater. Between Beats Inc. and its public face, Dixon Stage Left Theater, are thrilled to be approaching the end of our transition into an exciting new facility.  We're looking forward to building on our history of excellence in local theater production while also building on the inspiration that these two bring with their experience.  DSL is staging its first outdoor production this summer and introducing special opportunities for talented community members 55 and over, both as direct outcomes of their involvement.  Community theaters thrive when they maximize the joy felt by both the performers and the patrons at their events, and we're confident Jimmy and Ben will be doing just that for years to come as a part of our family."