Shady Side Academy hires new executive director of Hillman Center for Performing Arts

The Hillman Center for Performing Arts at Shady Side Academy has a new executive director.

Dek Ingraham will take over the role Monday, and will also serve as SSA Senior School’s Performing Arts Chairman.

“I am ecstatic to join the team at SSA,” Ingraham said. “I look forward to exploring what we can create together on the stages of the Hillman Center and beyond.”

Ingraham previously served as the manager of individual giving and special projects at the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council and brings with him experience in management and theater production, SSA leaders said.

For the past four years, he has also served as festival director for the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, an annual event where he earned Best Director and Best Production in 2015.

Ingraham has acted, directed or led in an administrative role more than 50 Pittsburgh-area productions over the past decade.

In his new post, Ingraham will lead and expand the Senior School’s performing arts program, oversee faculty and classes, teach theater classes and direct productions.

Ingraham said he looks forward to building a deeper connection between students, the community and the Hillman Performing Arts Series.

“This position combines everything that I value in good governance, education and the performing arts,” Ingraham said.

Senior School Head Trixie Sabundayo said it was Ingraham’s warmth, intelligence and commitment to student-centered teaching that resonated with the search committee and landed him the position.

“During his visit to campus, he connected quickly and effectively with students and adults alike, and demonstrated that he could uniquely deepen SSA’s performing arts offerings as well as expand the Academy’s community partnerships, especially within Pittsburgh’s thriving arts and cultural sector,” Sabundayo said.

Ingraham will oversee staff and outside programming at the academy’s Hillman Center for Performing Arts, including the popular Hillman Performing Arts Series and community performances, exhibitions and partnerships.

The Hillman series offers concerts and special shows each year with the aim of offering a diverse slate of performers. It recently wrapped up its 2021 season with a concert by Americana duo The Honey Dewdrops in late June.

Ingraham earned his bachelor’s degree in theater with an emphasis in performance and cultural context from Chatham University.

He is currently working toward his master’s in theater arts with a dual focus in directing and pedagogy from the University of Idaho.