Since graduating from the University of Minnesota more than 20 years ago, Jill A. Anderson’s career in theater management has taken her to Washington D.C., New Mexico, Massachusetts and upstate New York, where she’s served as managing director of the Syracuse Stage since 2016. This summer, she returns to the Twin Cities as the managing director of Children’s Theatre Company. It’s truly a full circle moment: Anderson worked as a CTC telemarketer when she was a college student. We caught up with the Wisconsin native, still in Syracuse, where she is wrapping up and packing up to head back to the Midwest. She assumes her role July 22, alongside Rick Dildine, CTC’s new artistic director.

So how does it feel to be returning to Children’s Theatre?

“I had always hoped to one day be back in the Twin Cities, but I didn’t necessarily expect it to be now.”

Why are you the right person for this job?

“I’m told my broad set of experiences in theater made me an appealing candidate, particularly as CTC focuses on developing new works. From a business perspective, we know that people who come to see blockbuster titles are more often one-time attendees. The folks who engage in new work tend to stick around. We need both.”

Studies show that theater attendance has rebounded since 2020, but is still not at pre-pandemic levels. What will it take?

Folks are out of the habit. And we have a multitude of options for any free hour. Theaters need to be in a discussion [with the public] about the value of spending time in a theater. We’re all considering the different ways people want to engage—they don’t want to just sit there; they want a rich experience, an interaction. There’s nothing like being in a room with fellow audience members. No two performances are exactly the same.

So what will you do first when you start your new role in July?

“The season has already been announced for next year, so Rick and I have the opportunity to spend the first year focusing on getting established, and thinking about subsequent years.”

It’s one thing to have the leadership title, but how do you win over the team when you’re new?

It has to be so human centric. I’m coming in with knowledge and skills, but you can’t be too certain that you know the answers. Deep listening is imperative. I have the luxury of time to get to know the team—what’s working, where they’re feeling pinched.

What excites you about being back in the Twin Cities?

“Going to see live music. I ended my interview day seeing Amy Mann at the Fitzgerald. There’s just a really unique way in which Minnesotans show up for the arts, so I’m excited about that. And I love the idea of having access to direct flights.”