John Swedeen, president
State Theatre Company Board
If you’re interested in the future of the State Theatre, you should get to know Allison Weiland.
Allison is the development coordinator for the State Theatre Company. She’s new, and she’s the organization’s only full-time employee.
The creation of her position represents another significant step ahead in our continuing journey to reopen the State Theatre.
Allison officially began April 1, and we’re thrilled to have her onboard! She has roots in the Sioux Falls area and has valuable educational and experience.
The Madison, S.D. native returned to South Dakota from Minnesota to work for the State Theatre. She previously worked as an account executive with ABRA Auto Body & Glass in Minneapolis. Before that, she was a digital product manager and product coordinator for Mill Creek Entertainment in Minneapolis.
She is a graduate of South Dakota State University in Brookings, where she earned bachelor and master’s degrees. In addition, worked for two years at SDSU, teaching communication studies and theater.
Her experience in theater and expertise in project management will be a great help to us. She’s excited about getting back into arts-related work, and she’s impressed with the economic vitality of Sioux Falls.
“I’ve seen how Sioux Falls’ downtown has exploded in the last few years. It’s so vibrant,” she says. “It’s just so exciting to be part of it.”
Her husband, David Mercer, is a musician. The couple has an 18-month-old daughter.
The State Theatre’s last full-time employee, executive director Stephen Williamson, left in 2015 for a job in the Chicago area. It’s great to have someone back in the office.
Welcome, Allison!
