Welcome Andrew Ronan, LPAC’s New Executive Director
- LPAC
- Sep 6
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 12
We’re delighted to welcome Andrew Ronan as LPAC’s new Executive Director. A lifelong Jackson Heights resident, Ronan steps into the role just as LaGuardia’s students return for the fall semester; bringing both deep Queens roots and a career spent shaping New York City’s cultural landscape.
At LPAC, Ronan will guide the Center’s vision and operations, from curating innovative programming to strengthening community connections and ensuring the theater’s long-term sustainability.
“LaGuardia has always stood out to me as a place where creativity, education, and community intersect,” Andrew said. “I was drawn to LPAC because it’s not just a performance venue, it’s a cultural hub at the heart of Queens, one of the most diverse communities in the world. My goal is to build on LPAC’s strong foundation and bring a new level of visibility, innovation, and collaboration that reflects the vibrancy of the borough. I want LPAC to be a stage where local voices and global talents meet, and where students, artists, and neighbors alike feel a sense of ownership and pride.”
Ronan joins LPAC after serving as Vice President of Partnerships, Programming, and Events at Hudson River Park Trust, where he transformed the park into a cultural destination with large-scale events and broad community engagement. His career has included leading NYC DOT’s Public Space Programming Initiative, serving as Chief of Staff to former City Council Member Daniel Dromm, and spearheading audience development at Queens Theatre. A dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility and equity, he has also served as Co-Chair of Queens Pride.
Ronan is a City University of New York alumnus with a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and public administration from the City College of New York.
Learn more about LPAC’s new Executive Director here.
We’re excited to share an incredible lineup of performances, workshops, and special events happening this fall. From powerful dance showcases to family holiday traditions, LPAC is proud to host experiences that bring art, culture, and community together. Mark your calendars, you won’t want to miss these!
| SEPTEMBER |
Down to Earth Festival
Kick off the season with the Down to Earth Festival, a celebration of creativity, sustainability, and community spirit. DOWN TO EARTH brings world-class international performance, theater, contemporary circus, an opera installation, and participatory events that are absolutely free directly to New York City’s vibrant and diverse communities. An initiative that embraces global exchange and democratizes cultural expression, the inaugural festival runs from August 29 to September 7, 2025. It was conceived by The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center, The Graduate Center CUNY, which serves as the festival's producer, organizational home, and fiscal agent.
“New York is a great city, a global city,” he said. “Why shouldn’t we have something like the Festival D’Automne in Paris or the Edinburgh Festival?”– The New York Times
Event Date: September 3-5
Time: Sept. 3 starting at 9am & Sept. 5 at 3pm
Venue: Little Theater, Cobblestone: E-Building Atrium, Mainstage Theater
| OCTOBER |
Latin Lover
Fresh from a series of workshops and readings, Latin Lover returns to LPAC this October with an expanded and refined production. Written by Ed Jr. Cardenas and produced by Una Bharat, both former LaGuardia students, the play captures the heart with its dynamic blend of live music, Latin flair, and deeply personal storytelling that resonates universally. Developed in partnership with LPAC and guided by ongoing mentorship, Latin Lover speaks to themes of love, representation, and identity. Join us for an unforgettable night of theater that is as joyful as it is powerful.
Event Date: October 9th-11th
Time: Thursday, October 9 at 7:30pm Friday, October 10 at 7:30pm Saturday, October 11 at 3:00pm
Venue: Little Theater
Pavement Kingdom
Originally funded by the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis, The Pavement Kingdom: a clinic escort play is an open-access, free-to-perform solo play about clinic escorting in the Midwest, where access to abortion care is largely restricted. Written after more than three years of volunteering as a clinic escort at Planned Parenthood, helping patients safely navigate past clinic protesters, the play follows "Charon," a clinic escort who loves to use her solitary time in the pavement kingdom to work on her comedy routine.
Read more about Pavement Kingdom here.
Calpulli Dance Theater Senior Workshops
This October, Calpulli Dance Theater brings its celebrated artistry to LPAC with a series of senior workshops that celebrate the vibrancy of Mexican folk dance. Tailored for older adults but open to all lovers of culture, these workshops honor tradition while building community through movement. Participants will explore rhythm, storytelling, and dance in an inclusive and inspiring space.
To learn more about Calpulli Mexican Dance Company visit here
Limón Dance Company Master Class with Artistic Director Dante Puleio
LPAC is honored to host Dante Puleio, Artistic Director of the legendary Limón Dance Company, for an intimate master class. This rare opportunity invites dancers to train under one of the leading figures in contemporary dance, learning the techniques and philosophies that have shaped generations of artists. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or an emerging talent, this class promises to expand your artistry and connect you with the enduring legacy of José Limón.
To learn more about Limón Dance Company visit here
“Between Neighborhoods” Film Screening & Panel
LPAC presents Between Neighborhoods, a thought-provoking documentary essay by historian and filmmaker Seth Fein, a faculty member at LaGuardia Community College. The film explores the shifting landscapes of community, migration, and belonging, using the Unisphere in Queens as both a literal and symbolic center.
Following the screening, a panel of experts and community voices will unpack the film’s themes and connect them to ongoing conversations about culture, identity, and change in New York City.
Fein brings a remarkable perspective to this work. A Brooklyn-born and Jackson Heights–based scholar-artist, he is the founder of Seven Local Film, where he creates transhistorical documentaries that bridge geography, politics, and culture. His prize-winning diptych Between Neighborhoods (81 mins, 2018) contemplates the intertwined histories of imperialism and immigration between the eras of Robert Moses and W.W. Rostow and those of Trump and AOC.
Before joining LaGuardia, Fein taught at Yale University, where he was Professor of American, Latin American, and Film Studies as well as History, earning awards such as the Graduate Mentor Prize in the Humanities and the Poorvu Prize for Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Instruction. He has also taught at Barnard, Columbia, and Brooklyn College’s Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema, and has published widely on the political and cultural history of film and television in the Americas.
Event Date: Friday, October 17th
Time: Friday, October 17 at 6:30pm
Venue: Mainstage Theater
To learn more about Between Neighborhoods & Seth Fein visit sevenlocalfilm.com
| NOVEMBER |
CUNY Dance Initiative: Sun Kim Dance
As part of the CUNY Dance Initiative (CDI) , a transformative residency program that provides New York City choreographers with vital rehearsal and performance space, LPAC is proud to welcome Sun Kim Dance to the stage this season.
Hailing from South Korea, Sun Kim is a celebrated dancer, choreographer, artistic director, and educator whose work is rooted in the street dance style of Popping. Recognized for her innovation and artistry, she is the recipient of the 2025 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship in Choreography, the 2022 Emerging Artist Award at the Harlem Stage Gala, and a Bessie Award nomination for Outstanding Breakout Choreographer.
Kim’s career spans from performing for Cirque du Soleil and commercial icons like Madonna, Elton John, and Nike, to presenting original works at Jacob’s Pillow, Harlem Stage, Burning Man, and the New Victory Theater. Her company, Sun Kim Dance Theatre (SKDT), has built a reputation for blending powerful street dance traditions with theatrical storytelling, creating performances that are both intimate and explosive.
Learn more about Cuny Dance Initiative and Sun Kim Dance
LPAC & Theater Department Collaboration
In November, LPAC deepened its commitment to education and artistry with a collaboration between our team and the Theater Department. This showcase features emerging student voices working alongside professionals to create bold new works that challenge, question, and inspire. It’s a celebration of mentorship, creativity, and the next generation of theater-makers.
Learn more about the LAGCC Theater Program here.
SOH Daiko
Presented by Carnegie Hall, SOH Daiko brings the exhilarating sounds of Japanese taiko drumming to LPAC. Known for their precision, power, and passion, SOH Daiko’s performances embody the rich traditions of Japanese culture while embracing contemporary expression. This concert is a feast for the senses, a rare chance to experience the thunderous energy of taiko up close.
Learn more about Carnegie Hall Citywide: Soh Daiko here.
| DECEMBER |
The Nutcracker & Visit to Santa’s Toyland
Ring in the holiday season with LPAC’s beloved annual tradition! Our enchanting production of The Nutcracker transports audiences to a magical world of toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. After the show, families are invited to continue the celebration with a special visit to Santa’s Toyland, where holiday joy comes alive for children of all ages. This cherished community event is the perfect way to close the year with wonder and delight.
Read our press release for past performances here.
Message from LPAC’s Artistic Director Handan Ozbilgin:
LPAC is an organization that proudly believes in nurturing collaboration and building long-term relationships with our partners and creating a community within a community. This year, we celebrated our second anniversary with Calpulli and an incredible 10-year partnership with Carnegie Hall. These milestones are just a few examples of the meaningful relationships we’ve built and continue to build over the years. We are especially thrilled to welcome bold new collaborators like The Bechdel Project, with a powerful play "Pavement Kingdom" that brings fresh energy and perspective to our stages. At the same time, we continue to honor our beloved traditions, like The Nutcracker & Visit to Santa's Toyland, where the entire LPAC team led by our incredible Technical Director, Carmen Griffin comes together to create a magical space for families each holiday season. We’re also beaming with pride as we support our alumni in new creative ventures, such as Latin Lover — an exciting production led by a producer, director, and playwright who graduated from LaGuardia Community College. Through every partnership, every production, and every tradition, one thing remains at the heart of it all: our unwavering commitment to uplifting the next generation of artists, students, and visionaries.
To learn more about emerging talents like this, stay connected! Subscribe to our newsletter and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content, artist highlights, and upcoming events.
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