New Executive Director Brings Experience, Fresh Perspective
You might have noticed a fresh, enthusiastic face introducing performers at the Vilar Performing Arts Center this season. No stranger to the stage, VPAC’s new Executive Director, Cameron Morgan, is thrilled to be leading the charge in this role.
An Alabama native, Morgan was a child actor turned dancer who simply loved performing.
“When I was 11, I had choice between taking dance classes or joining a rec league football team,” he shares. “I do enjoy playing sports, but I loved performing, and with the support of my family, I committed to pursuing my goal of a performance career by enrolling in dance and voice lessons.”
This passion to perform guided Morgan on the life path that eventually landed him the Executive Director position at VPAC. He landed his first paid job at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival at age 12, along with ongoing community theater roles. He danced professionally with the Rhode Island Festival Ballet Providence (now Ballet RI), then worked as a cruise ship entertainer. In the last decade, Morgan was been involved in the Vail Valley fine arts and events scene, starting as an intern and working his way up to senior operations manager of the Vail Dance Festival — a trajectory similar to the one Owen Hutchinson, previous VPAC executive director, followed when he stepped into the role.
Morgan’s education helped pave the way for his current role, as he double-majored in Ballet Performance and Public Relations at the University of Oklahoma. His PR professor was instrumental in advocating for Morgan, helping him land the Vail Dance Festival internship. This led to Morgan joining the Vail Valley Foundation in a full-time capacity in 2021, where he supported annual VVF events like the GoPro Mountain Games and the Xfinity Birds of Prey World Cup ski races.
Now, Morgan finds himself at the helm of one of the most prestigious intimate arts venues in the country. He’s building relationships with the Beaver Creek community and VPAC’s expansive, passionate family of sponsors, volunteers, and patrons. He is quick to acknowledge the encouragement of many established mentors in the arts and business communities, from a childhood dance teacher who took him to see “Billy Elliott” on Broadway at age 13 to local figures like VVF President Mike Imhof, who is confident Morgan will shine in his new leadership position.
Morgan strives to return the favor to other aspiring young performers or those interested in supporting other community-based projects. He knows the VPAC has a substantial community reach, as evidenced by a recent visit to the Eagle County Schools Career Fair and wants to inspire young artists to follow in his path and pursue their passions and careers in the performing arts. “I can’t express just how grateful I am for the support given to me throughout my life and career and how proud people are of me to have received this opportunity.”
Morgan is excited to help push the VPAC into its decidedly bright future. “The performing arts are a true connector, a binding thread of our collective humanity. This winter at the VPAC, I’m excited to share these moments of community with our audiences.”