Festival's General Director designate brings extensive musical experience and scholarship to role and a firm belief in art's potential to bridge differences
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A pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement prompt Nigel Redden to reconsider his longtime role as General Director of Spoleto Festival USA. He’s stepping down after the festival’s 45th season.
The opening of Spoleto Festival USA this year was unlike any other. Instead of a seated crowd fanning themselves in the blistering sun before city hall, a small group gathered in the shade of Washington Park.The mayor proclaimed the festival’s start as he typically does. But the confetti and church bells that followed were a surprise for many, even though they are an opening tradition.“To me there’s something emotional about that because it really does signal the start of the festival,” Jessie Bagley said. She is the Spoleto Festival USA Marketing and Public Relations Director.Bagley credits the festival’s Director of Production, Mike East, with making the unexpected happen. He just smiles when asked, humbly hanging his head and shaking it no.