EXECUTIVE GROUP
Norman S. Easterbrook, Executive Director
Norm Easterbrook joined RiverCenter in September 2015. Since 2004, Norm served as the Director of the Ford Center at the University of Mississippi. Norm has extensive experience in arts management and administration in both the public and private sectors having worked in the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs for several years and in the private sector with the Imperial Theatre in Augusta, Georgia and the Rylander Theatre in Americus, Georgia. Norm has been recognized for his contributions to the field by the Florida Professional Theatre Association, Florida Secretary of State, the Atlanta Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, and the Georgia Theatre Conference. He has directed and performed professionally in numerous film, video and stage productions. He graduated from the Ithaca College School of Theatre and Florida State University where he studied acting and dramatic theory. He is delighted to join the Columbus community with his wife Margo.
Contact: neasterbrook@rivercenter.org Office Telephone: 706-256-3620
Jim Rutland, Program Director
Jim Rutland is a Columbus native who spent 20 years in New York City performing and working in the entertainment industry. Highlights of that time include an appearance in the feature film Philadelphia and concerts at Carnegie Hall and on HBO. Jim returned to Columbus in 2002 in conjunction with RiverCenter’s grand opening and is extremely happy to be home and working at RiverCenter.
Contact: jrutland@rivercenter.org Office Telephone: 706-256-3607
Denise Dowdy, Director of Development
Denise Dowdy is a leader in helping non-profits develop fundraising, board leadership and revenue structures to further their mission. Since 1998, Denise has worked in the non-profit world of healthcare, coming to RiverCenter from the Columbus Hospice of Georgia and Alabama, and serving as the Director for the American Cancer Society in the Columbus/South Atlanta area for 21 years. During that time, she empowered board members and volunteers to deliver and surpass income and mission goals. Denise has a lifelong love of the arts, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Columbus College (now Columbus State University) and is happy to bring her fundraising skills and musical roots to the leadership team to contribute to the sustainability and growth of the RiverCenter.
Contact: Email: ddowdy@rivercenter.org. Office Telephone: 706-256-3653
Carrie Corbett, Director of Marketing
Carrie Corbett, Director of Marketing, brings a lifelong passion for the arts to her position, beginning her study of cello in elementary school and graduating with a degree in Vocal Performance from University of Missouri-Columbia. After graduation, she pursued a career in musical theatre for 13 years, earning her membership in the Actor’s Equity Association and performing in two international tours to Singapore, Malaysia and Korea. Carrie’s most recent professional arts administration work has been with non-profit arts organizations in Memphis, TN, where she served as Executive Director of the Memphis Vocal Arts Ensemble, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Germantown Performing Arts Center and Vice President for Communications and Marketing at Memphis College of Art.
Contact: Email: ccorbett@rivercenter.org Office Telephone: 706-256-3608
John Davis (JD), Technical Director
John Davis (JD) began working full-time for the RiverCenter in 2008, but has been a part of RiverCenter from its earliest days as a member of the team that was hired to install the theatrical lighting system. Since he came to RiverCenter, JD has worked as Assistant Technical Director and was promoted to Technical Director in 2018. JD learned electronics repair in the U.S. Navy and has many years of experience running corporate and concert sound and lighting systems.
Contact: Email: jdavis@rivercenter.org Office Telephone: 706-256-3629
Ansley Usery, Director of Operations
Ansley Usery returns to Columbus after pursuing a variety of adventures since her departure in 2011. Ansley’s theatrical roots and interests were formed at the Springer Theatre Academy led by Ron Anderson, an experience which inspired her to pursue a career in the arts. A graduate of the University of Georgia and of the Disney College Program, Ansley has worked for Yelp in New York City and with the Horizon and Alliance Theatres in Atlanta. She is happy to be back home in her new role at RiverCenter.
