Props to a theater scene pro

Brittney Kenaston, In Business Madison

Curiosity and a can-do attitude catapulted Brenda DeVita to her leadership role at American Players Theatre, where for over three decades she has worked to instill a deep sense of community and encourage the candid exchange of ideas across all levels of the organization.

Driven by a zeal for classic theater and language, DeVita has aimed to preserve the mission of the nearly 50-year-old company to reach broad audiences with an emphasis on Shakespearean works, and also to expand APT’s goal to incorporate more diverse voices, increasing its focus on equitability. Her transformational leadership has centered on programs that increase employees' sense of belonging and empowerment, while amplifying the scope of APT's shows for broader representation and more universal appeal.

As APT gears up for its new season — starting this month with William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and continuing through November with a mix of classic and contemporary shows — DeVita looks back on a storied career and forward to cultivating the next generation of talent.

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