Hana Sharif out as Artistic Director at Arena Stage — Page 2

Nataki Garrett bungled her tenure at OSF so badly that she basically made herself unemployable and had to rebrand herself as an executive coach. (Sharif is one of her clients, prominently featured on her website — natch.) She did experience genuine racism during her time in Ashland, but that doesn’t obscure the fact she was woefully unqualified for her position and likely would have been relieved of her duties had she tried to stay. She really is the last person who should be weighing in on this situation as she has less than zero credibility in this area, not to mention deep conflicts of interest.

Updated On: 7/2/26 at 05:59 PM

Ensemble1698878795 said: "AC126748 said: "Nataki Garrett bungled her tenure at OSF so badly that she basically made herself unemployable and had to rebrand herself as an executive coach. (Sharif is one of her clients, prominently featured on her website — natch.) She did experience genuine racism during her time in Ashland, but that doesn’t obscure the fact she was woefully unqualified for her position and likely would have been relieved of her duties had she tried to stay. She really is the last person who should be weighing in on this situation as she has less than zero credibility in this area, not to mention deep conflicts of interest."

Experiencingracism while running non-profit theatre is something white people don't have to deal with. I love how you causally move on past that as if that's a small thing to overcome. What made her unqualified? Can you be more specific?"

She literally almost ran the organization out of existence, requiring an emergency financial campaign after leaving the company weeks away from insolvency. She was on the verge of being fired when she resigned in 2023. 

Updated On: 7/2/26 at 06:20 PM

Arena Stage board of trustees

AC126748 said: "Ensemble1698878795 said: "AC126748 said: "Nataki Garrett bungled her tenure at OSF so badly that she basically made herself unemployable and had to rebrand herself as an executive coach. (Sharif is one of her clients, prominently featured on her website — natch.) She did experience genuine racism during her time in Ashland, but that doesn’t obscure the fact she was woefully unqualified for her position and likely would have been relieved of her duties had she tried to stay. She really is the last person who should be weighing in on this situation as she has less than zero credibility in this area, not to mention deep conflicts of interest."

Experiencingracism while running non-profit theatre is something white people don't have to deal with. I love how you causally move on past that as if that's a small thing to overcome. What made her unqualified? Can you be more specific?"

She literally almost ran the organization out of existence, requiring an emergency financial campaign after leaving the company weeks away from insolvency. She was on the verge of being fired when she resigned in 2023."

So whose fault is it that Arena Stage hired her? Is it her own? Also when Black AD's are handed organizations they are usually already failing. I'm not saying she's perfect. But I think you all need to acknowledge that there's been an historic lack of Black people let alone Black women in these positions. It's not because they are incapable. It's mostly because they aren't wanted. 

Part of a AD's success is the support they are given and when boards push Black women out they never had a chance to thrive. 

Arena was quite successful and thriving when Molly Smith left.  She made the choice to retire - this made it even MORE clear the culprit.   Under Sharif - Like in St. Louis the numbers declined rapidly, seasons were not planned properly and delayed, money was not spent appropriately, the staff was unhappy, production elements and timetables not met.   Arena  declined,  in all aspects,  very rapidly - and the reason is clear.

Much was not disclosed to Arena stage when they hired Sharif while she was still the artistic director of St. Louis Rep. She left the Rep, for Arena, for a reason.  Arena hired Sarif while she was still the artistic director or the Rep.  Much was being learned and not able to be disclosed it sounds like.

Updated On: 7/3/26 at 12:18 AM