Directing

A nationally recognized theatre leader with a wide range of experience, skills, and successes in various theatrical fields. Goal-oriented and result driven. Adept at problem-solving, conflict negotiation, and strategic planning, particularly with startup organizations. Thrives in a fluid, fast-paced, collaborative environment while remaining decisive, pragmatic, and focused.

Core Competencies

Professional Experience

HARDIN COUNTY SCHOOLS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER – Elizabethtown, KY 2001-Present
Founding Director
Serving as founding Director of a 750-seat state-of-the-art facility providing quality performing arts experiences for students and the general public of central Kentucky alike.
Full responsibility for fiscal management, long-range planning, policy implementation, public relations, marketing and branding, fundraising and development, and producing theatrical productions to achieve organizational, educational, and artistic goals. Direct all operations of the facility and productions therein. Management of a limited paid staff and volunteers necessitating a hands-on approach and creative problem-solving through cross-training and open communication in a casual, comfortable environment. Annual operating budget averaging $140,000 (excl. staff salaries & benefits).

Key Achievements

• Creating the PAC’s Vision, Mission Statement, and long-range strategic plan, “The PAC Plan,” as well as cultivating the internal and external resources to support that vision.
• Serving over 20,000 students annually through educational programming across a nine-county region.
• Serving 10,000 patrons annually through public programming. Averaging a 10% increase in public attendance figures annually.
• The PAC is rewarded annually by state and national arts organizations such as the Kentucky Arts Council, the Southern Arts Federation, the National Endowment for the Arts, local corporations and small businesses and individuals, as well as Hardin County Fiscal Court for its contributions to the students and community of central Kentucky.
• In 2002, the Kennedy Center recognized the PAC as one of eleven demonstration sites nationwide as part of a national Community Audit for Arts Education.
• At the 2003 National Arts Education Partnership Meeting in Washington, DC, Mr. Lovins served as lead presenter of a breakout session discussing the PAC’s programming success.
• In 2009, Mr. Lovins was the Kentucky Music Education Association Friend of Music Award recipient for his music education contributions.
• In 2009, Mr. Lovins was recognized as one of 12 annual Hardin County Schools Distinguished Alumni.
• The PAC has made unique and significant contributions to Hardin County Schools’ academic performance. After the first year of programming, Hardin County School students scored above Kentucky state averages in all grade levels in Arts & Humanities content area for the first time. As of 2005 test results, HCS Middle and Elementary Schools continue to outpace state averages.
• The creation of numerous programs that expand the range and depth of the performing arts in students’ lives while preserving and promoting the arts as an artistic, educational, and economically viable component of everyday life for all central Kentucky citizens.
• Implementing a solid internet presence to facilitate grant opportunities, artist/audience interaction, event marketing, and management of the PAC’s multiple surveys, rentals, newsletters, and funding programs.
• Steering the facility and numerous school-based and community performing arts organizations through the pandemic utilizing strategic planning, resource allocation, and the acquisition of $90,798 in federal and state shuttered venue funding.

NEW YORK 1995-2001

Producing, Directing, and Writing
Freelanced as a Stage Director, Playwright, and Producer for various Off-Off Broadway theatre companies, including co-founding Spinning Graves Productions – an acting company dedicated to re-envisioning classical literature for contemporary audiences and directing the 20th Anniversary Production of The Elephant Man to critical acclaim.

Key Achievements

• The Elephant Man – 20th Anniversary Production (Director) • Theatre @ St. Clement’s (Producer: Kevin Roberge)
• The Sherlock Holmes Series (Director/Writer/Producer)
  • The Hound of the Baskervilles • FL 413 Theatre (Spinning Graves Productions)
  • A Study In Scarlet • Expanded Arts (Producer: Jennifer Spahr)
  • The Sign of Four • Theatre @ St. Clement’s (Spinning Graves Productions)
• The Xmas Files (Director/Co-Writer/Co-Producer) • Rose’s Turn Cabaret (Spinning Graves Productions)
• Peer Gynt (Director/C0-Producer) • Expanded Arts (C0-Producer: Jennifer Spahr)
• Uncle Vanya (Director) • Expanded Arts (Producer: Jennifer Spahr)
• Grossman’s Urn (Director) • American Theatre of Actors (Producer: James Jennings)
• Second Star To The Right (Director/Writer) • Pier Preservation Society & Expanded Arts (Producer: Jennifer Spahr)
• Poker (Director) • “OPAL Project” at Pulse Ensemble Theatre (Artistic Director: Alexa Kelly)
• Puppets Dallying and Balloon Bending (Director) • “94 Plays in 94 Days” at Expanded Arts (Producer: Jennifer Spahr)
• The Thrill Of It All! (Director) • The Stage; Merrick, LI (Producer: E. Karl Gallmeyer)

REGIONAL 1985-2000

THE ARACOMA STORY, INC. – Logan, WV 2000
Director
Served as Resident Director for the 25th Anniversary Season of The Aracoma Story, Inc. in the Chief Logan State Park of Logan, WV. Duties included a fresh adaptation of The Aracoma Story script, stage direction, and choreography for an ensemble repertory community cast of 75 in The Aracoma Story as well as Oklahoma! and Li’l Abner.

Technical Theatre Experience

• Technical Director/Scenic Artist (6 productions) • Ohio Showboat Drama, Inc.; Marietta, OH 1986
• Shop Foreman/Set Designer/Scenic Artist (2 Seasons) • Western Kentucky University; Bowling Green, KY 1985-1986
• Theatre Internship (4 productions) • Stage One: Louisville’s Children’s Theatre; Louisville, KY 1988

Management Experience

• Assistant Tour Company Manager (2 seasons) • “Mission: Planet Earth” E-Ventures, LLC; Minneapolis, MN 1994-1995
• Assistant Stage Manager (3 productions) • Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre; Indianapolis, IN 1995-1997

Education and Training

• BFA in Performing Arts (with studies in England & France) • Western Kentucky University; Bowling Green, KY 1983-1987
• Adult Education Certificate • Business Management • Elizabethtown Community College; Elizabethtown, KY 2004
• Workshops • National Shakespeare Company • James Kirkwood • Tom Poston and Tim Conway • Marcia Lewis • PUSH Dance

Professional Associations

Actors’ Equity Association, AEA (1992 – Present)		South Arts (2001 – Present)
Hardin County Arts Council (2001 – 2005)		Association of Performing Arts Professionals (2003 – Present)
Rotary International (2001 – Present, Paul Harris Fellow)		South Arts Dance Touring Initiative (2009 – 2013)
Kentucky Presenters Network (2001 – Present)		Kentucky Peer Advisory Network (2016 – Present)

References

Nannette Johnston	Director of Faculty & Curriculum, Kentucky Association of School Administrators	270.872.3700 / [email protected]
Bradley Downall	Retired Director, Glema Mahr Center for the Arts	270-584-4306 / [email protected]
Eric Fliss	Managing Director, Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center	786.573.5316 / [email protected]
Charlie Zicari	Creative Executive, The Walt Disney Company	818.679.5685 / [email protected]
Eddie Curry	Producer/Casting Director, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre	317.698.2400 / [email protected]
Mary Young	Senior Vice President, The Cecilian Bank	270.307.7970 / [email protected]
Melissa Kasey Case	Principal, Lincoln Elementary Performing Arts School	270.272.7868 / [email protected]
Henry Cubero	President, The Cubero Group	502.561.1345 / [email protected]
Joe Stuecker	Director of Buildings & Grounds, Hardin County Schools	270.268.1990 / [email protected]
Darron L. West	Tony and OBIE award-winning sound designer	917.864.2097 / [email protected]
Kendra Scott	Vice President of Operations, Hardin County Chamber of Commerce	270.312.7827 / [email protected]
Dr. Richard Hughes	Retired Superintendent, Hardin County Schools	(859) 940-3265 / [email protected]
Mr. Bill Conner	Theatre Design Consultant, Bill Conner Associates, LLC	708.983.5792 / [email protected]