From the New Harmony Project Board of directors

After leading The New Harmony Project through a five-year period of exceptional growth and transformation, David Hudson and Lori Wolter Hudson will step down from their respective roles as Executive Director and Artistic Director in June 2023, following NHP’s 36th annual conference.   

David and Lori have been the heart and soul of The Project for the past five years, and we will miss them dearly as they leave their roles. However, our sadness is tempered by tremendous gratitude for their incredible stewardship of The Project over the past five years.  Because of their dedication, vision, and passion, NHP is as strong and vibrant as it has ever been.  Thanks to Lori and David, The Project is well-positioned to successfully transition with new leadership into an exciting next phase.

The New Harmony Project Board of Directors has retained Artistic Logistics to conduct a national search, led by Lisa Mount and Tabitha Montgomery. Building on its strategic plan, NHP has reimagined its leadership structure and will be seeking one person to lead the organization as the Executive Artistic Director (application information below).  A newly-created position, Associate Artistic Director, will work with (and be hired by) the incoming Executive Artistic Director. Current Director of Advancement, Denise Reiter, will complete the leadership team.

Dear Friends,

As we enter 2023, we hope that this letter finds you healthy and well! In this season of change and new beginnings, it is bittersweet to share the news that we have made the decision to step down from our leadership roles with The New Harmony Project following this year’s spring conference. Personally, we’ve received an exciting new creative opportunity that cannot be passed up, but that certainly has not made the decision any less difficult.

For nearly 20 years, we’ve been involved with The New Harmony Project in various capacities, literally growing up alongside this incredible organization. From our early years as college interns in the Barn Abbey, to assuming leadership roles and overseeing dramatic and transformational change, The Project has served as a north star in our personal and professional lives. We’ve cherished the opportunity to work alongside brilliant artists, colleagues, and friends, and have been overjoyed to share Utopia with our children, who are now four and seven. We will always be grateful for the privilege of supporting writers and artists from across this country who are creating life-altering, complex, and hopeful stories that celebrate the human spirit.

Although our time in leadership is drawing to a close, we could not be more confident about NHP’s future. The affirmation of a new strategic vision last year, the development of a radical, compassionate, and dynamic board of directors, and the unparalleled artistic excellence of the creative individuals who comprise NHP’s community allow us to step away with the utmost faith in its future. There will be many happy and sad tears shed over the next several months as we say goodbye to this chapter of our lives. Please know how important you and your support has been to us personally, and how important it will continue to be for the organization into the future. We’re excited to become fervent supporters and champions alongside so many of you, and hope that you’ll consider joining us in New Harmony this spring for our Celebration of New Plays (including UtopiaBall™, dinner rolls, and late night laughs at the barn)!

With deep gratitude and love,

Lori & David