IN Series Appoints David Mack as First Executive Director, Ushering in New Era of Innovation
IN series, a leading force in innovative opera theater based in Washington, DC and Baltimore, has announced the appointment of David Mack as its first-ever Executive Director. The move signals a significant step in the organization’s growth and commitment to expanding access to opera for diverse audiences.
“The company enters its adventurous next chapter,” stated Mack. “I’m eager to connect with audiences across the Baltimore and Washington, DC area, helping to broaden access to innovative opera – whether thay are seasoned enthusiasts or discovering it for the first time. I extend my gratitude to Timothy [Nelson] and the IN Series hiring committee for their warm welcome and generous spirit.”
Artistic Director Timothy Nelson praised Mack’s unique skillset, saying, “From our first meeting, I was impressed by David’s rare combination of vision, charisma, and creativity. He’s guided some of the nation’s most dynamic opera, dance, and theater organizations, but his genuine belief in art’s power to build community truly stands out. Welcoming him as our first Executive Director is a bold and meaningful step in our evolution as a DC and Baltimore institution, and in our continued rise as a national voice for innovative opera.”
IN Series Board President Janet Farrell echoed this sentiment, noting that Mack’s partnership with Nelson marks ”a new chapter of artistic growth and innovation…grounded in collaboration, creativity, and a shared vision for IN Series’ future.”
Mack brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held leadership positions with organizations including the African American Art & Culture Complex, Joe Goode Performance Group, and Invertigo Dance Theatre. He has also provided strategic consulting to groups such as LA Dance Project, Diavolo | Architecture in Motion, and Centre Theatre Group. Notably, as General Manager of The Industry, he produced the critically acclaimed, site-specific opera Invisible Cities at Los Angeles’ Union Station, a collaboration with the LA County Metropolitan Transportation Authority that garnered attention in the Los Angeles Times.
Throughout his career, Mack has demonstrated a strong commitment to collaboration, innovation, and equity within the arts. He has served on the boards of the LA Producer’s League and Western arts Alliance, and actively advocated for artists through organizations like the SF Arts Alliance and Greater Bay Area Arts Coalition. he is also the co-founder of several Oakland-based arts service organizations – theatre Magnet, Artist Magnet, and Artist Magnet Justice Alliance – and currently participates as a DeVos Institute of Arts & Nonprofit Management Global Executive Fellow.
Founded in 1982 by Carla Hübner as a concert series of Mount Vernon College, IN Series became an autonomous nonprofit in 2000. Under Timothy Nelson’s artistic direction since 2018, the organization has solidified its position as DC’s leading presenter of innovative opera, dedicated to transforming artists, audiences, and communities by challenging expectations and fostering empathy. IN Series envisions a future where opera is a vital and integrated part of global conversation, continually redefining “who” makes opera, ”what” constitutes an operatic experience, “where” operas take place, “why” we create opera, and ultimately, “why” opera matters.
