Junction City Manager Gerald Smith has announced the hiring of Randal K. West as Interim Executive Director of the C. L. Hoover Opera house.

West bring more than 30 years of experience in musical theater production, creative, artistic, and executive direction in the fields of advertising and theatrical administration.  Most recently he served as Executive / Artistic Director of Way Off Broadway, Iowa’s only professional musical theater company.

West will begin his new position at the Opera House in early to mid-February.

As Interim Executive Director of the C. L .Hoover Opera House, West, along with the City Manager and Board of Directors, will take the lead in defining the mission, goals, and objectives for the Opera House. He will direct all fundraising efforts and programming for the Opera House, and support the ongoing partnerships between the Opera House and all of Junction City’s arts agencies — the Junction City Little Theater, the Junction City Arts Council, and Junction City Community Band — all of which reside at the Opera House.

West was selected from among 34 candidates for the Interim Executive Director’s position. He earned his BA and MA in Musical Theater from the University of Redlands.