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The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has appointed Nicholas Dragga as its new executive director, effective Nov. 1, 2023.
Dragga takes over for Kathryn Gigler, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s director of education and community engagement who has been serving as acting executive director for the past year. Gigler is departing from the PBT to “pursue opportunities overseas.”
Dragga, a Certified Fund Raising Executive, will lead the organization and work alongside the PBT’s new artistic director, Adam W. McKinney. He comes to the PBT after serving as executive director of Ballet Lubbock, a ballet school in Texas, since 2011, where he more than quintupled the school’s budget and grew net assets from $700,000 to $12 million during his tenure.
In addition to the appointment of Dragga, the PBT announced that it has appointed Rev. Ayana Teter as its new board chair, taking over for Mary McKinney Flaherty, who led the search for her successor. Teter, who has served as vice chair of the board since 2020 and chair of its school committee from 2018 to 2022, will take over starting with the 2023-2024 season. She is the associate dean for students and formation at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a “life-long dancer [who] shares a passion for ballet and musical expression.”
“I am beyond honored to join Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in this exciting and pivotal time,” Dragga said in a release. “Adam W. McKinney, Ayana Teter and the entire PBT team’s commitment to people and community-building is inspiring, energizing and sets the stage for transformative impact in the region. I look forward to working with PBT’s stakeholders and communities to deepen relationships, forge new partnerships and bring new levels of belonging and brilliance both on and off the stage. Pittsburgh and PBT have vibrant, magnificent days ahead, and we can’t wait to dance with you.”