The cultural scene in Wake Forest has a new player at the helm. Amy Pridgen has stepped into large shoes left by Debbie Dunn, as the director of the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, a nexus for performance and visual arts within the community. Pridgen's appointment follows Dunn's retirement announcement in July and is effective immediately, as detailed in an official statement from Wake Forest's town authorities.
With a BFA in Musical Theatre and an MFA in Performing Arts under her belt, Amy Pridgen is no stranger to the arts scene. She's trod the boards in New York City before realizing her passion lay in teaching and shaping future thespians. Pridgen shared with the Town of Wake Forest that, "After years of working as a professional actor and choreographer in New York City, I decided to pursue a career in teaching in 2014." She went on to cultivate a rich, eight-year tenure at William Peace University. Pridgen's work, particularly in collaborative playmaking, has not only been revered by students but also recognized on national platforms and even as far as the Sorbonne in Paris, as per the Town of Wake Forest's release.
But academia is just one side of the coin. Previously, Amy served as the Arts & Culture Superintendent for the Town of Garner, a role during which she effectively established performing arts spaces, education programs, and inclusive initiatives for individuals with disabilities. "In Garner, I oversaw operations of the Garner Performing Arts Center and other municipal cultural initiatives," said Pridgen, highlighting her foundational work in Garner’s arts scene—work she now brings to Wake Forest.
Pridgen is not all work and no play, however. When she’s not elevating the cultural landscape, she is actively involved in the Raleigh Little Theatre scene—both on stage and from the director's chair. Amy's off-stage life is equally vibrant as the proud mother of two and spouse to a kindergarten teacher. Her hobbies strike a balance between the vigorous creativity of theater and the tranquility of yoga.
The community will get a chance to greet the Renaissance Centre’s new director face-to-face at the upcoming “Meet & Greet” on September 12. Amy will be making herself available at the Friday Night on White in a tent set up along East Owen Avenue.
