Show Time

New Weinberg Center Leader Brings

Diverse Experience, New Perspective

By Colin McGuire

Singer. Songwriter. Actress. Agency boss. Presenter. Executive theater manager.

It’s that last title that matters most, especially to the Frederick arts community. Of all the jobs Stephanie Chaiken has had in her decades-long career in the arts, her latest task as the Weinberg Center for the Arts’ leader is perhaps the gig she was always meant to land.

After growing up in Montgomery County, Chaiken pursued a career in the arts by earning graduate degrees in theater and music before performing in bands throughout New York City. That led to a series of jobs in cabaret shows and stints running a music management agency and presenting at performing arts theaters in New Jersey.

Meanwhile, her ties to Frederick County were established when her parents bought a home in Middletown two decades ago. As a result, she would split time between the Big Apple and her family home for years, ultimately working remotely from her parents’ place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Then, last year, John Healey retired as executive theater manager at the Weinberg Center, the city’s most notable entertainment venue. Chaiken decided to seek the job and was selected from among dozens of candidates. She began her tenure in November.

How have the first five months on the job been?

“It’s been great,” Chaiken says. “I love everything that’s going on in Frederick. There’s so much cool stuff here. … There’s been a learning curve, but that’s only because I want to be learning more about the community. I want to know what people want us to bring in, what people need. I’m in the process of learning what’s happening and then figuring out what I can add to it.”

Part of what Chaiken is learning is that drastic change isn’t necessary. Programs like the Discovery Series and the Speaker Series are two staples in the community she believes are imperative to keep in the theater’s seasonal calendar.

As for what she hopes to add, Chaiken stresses the importance of community. Workshops and hyper-local music series are at least two ways she hopes to make both the Weinberg Center and its small-stage New Spire Arts essential parts of the Frederick arts landscape.

“I really want to work with arts organizations in Frederick and the region,” she explains. “There are things we can do in New Spire, especially, that feature new and upcoming artist, like an intimate one-person show that might be a little cavernous to do at the Weinberg. We also hope to organize professional development workshops in the fall where we can talk about grant writing and branding and building arts businesses to the point to where they can thrive.”

Chaiken’s ideas have already engaged the staff. “It’s been great working with Stephanie,” says Barbara Hiller, the Weinberg Center’s marketing director. “She brings a fresh, new perspective to the job that I think will take programming in new and interesting directions while continuing to stay true to the kind of performances we know our community enjoys and wants to see.”

When Chaiken looks to the future of the Weinberg Center, it’s clear she has a broad vision.

“This first year is going to be about getting to know people,” Chaiken says. “It’s going to be about learning how I can break down barriers for people who have never been to the Weinberg before for participation. It’s a big goal of mine.”

She pauses.

“Finding art empathy—that changes the world,” she says excitedly. “The more people participating in arts activities and events, the more that becomes our tool to change the world.”