The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON-Former Waitsburg Christian Church Pastor Mike Ferrians will become the new manager of Dayton's Liberty Theater at the end of this month. He will replace Kirsten Schober. Schober says she is leaving to enjoy a little time off before exploring interests she has in community development.

Schober has been the theater manager since 2011. She took the job after a stint as the executive director of the Kirkman House Museum in Walla Walla. She also managed the Liberty Theater in Ellensburg in the late 80s, and had produced some plays for Walla Walla High School, she said.

"I had been a patron at some of the theater's live shows, and enjoyed a few movies, here. I thought it would be fun to be a part of this community and take a trip down career memory lane," she said. "It turned out to be much more rewarding than I expected."

Schober said she has enjoyed the people she worked with: the board of directors, the show patrons, and the people involved in TVAC productions, most of all.

"I am continually amazed by the creativity and energy," she said.

Schober said the timing is good, as there are several projects wrapping up at the theater including the endowment kick off and the exterior restoration.

"I am not going far, and I look forward to sitting in the auditorium enjoying the fruits of everyone's hard work," she said.

Touchet Valley Arts Council President Kris Takemura said Schober has brought a wealth of experience to the theater from her work with nonprofits, along with her expertise in many areas, including grant writing, as well as her love of movies.

"Everyone who has been involved with the Liberty Theater, from board members, to volunteers, to patrons, will miss Kirsten greatly," Takemura said. We value our relationship with Kirsten and wish her all the best as she moves to the next chapter in her life."

Takemura added, "Mike brings with him many skills and talents along with his love of the theater, and we have confidence that Mike's abilities and qualities will help ensure the theater will continue to provide cultural opportunities in the Touchet Valley, and beyond."

Ferrians said he has been involved with the theater since 2002, when he participated in the fall musical production of "Oklahoma." Since then he has participated in a number of live shows, and directed a few, or helped with vocal music.

"I really look forward to helping TVAC advance its mission of promoting culture and arts in the community," Ferrians said. "I see the TVAC mission as central to a strong, healthy, and resilient community. I want to see the theater programs continue to grow and form a stronger bond with the people of the valley."

Ferrians is a native of Spokane. He and his wife, Melissa, have lived in Waitsburg for 28 years.