Meet Natalie Delancey

We recently connected with Natalie Delancey and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

For as long as I can remember, I have always been focused on ways to make my community a better place for all. Growing up in theatre, the idea of bringing an audience together to experience joy, laughter and maybe even be moved to tears was always what kept me wanting to be in the arts. Throughout my life, I have been heavily influenced by my Grandmother who was a Cobb County Commissioner and constantly looking for ways to serve. I witnessed firsthand the joy that she received from giving back to the community and it has become the driving force behind my career. During my time at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre as the Director of Arts Education & Community Outreach for the ArtsBridge Foundation, I was able to influence the next generation of audience members, performers and arts supporters, which was exceptionally fulfilling. Knowing that many young people were able to experience their very first performance at such a stunning Performing Arts Center was such a gift and on the student matinees where you could hear a pin drop in an audience of 2,750 students was a reminder of the transformational power of the arts. What drew me to City Springs Theatre Company is the unique connection the residents have to the Sandy Springs community. While we strive to serve the metro Atlanta area through our Broadway-quality productions and arts education initiatives, our core audience comes directly from the Northern Atlanta suburb of Sandy Springs. The Sandy Springs community is committed to ensuring that its residents are connected, inspired, and served in ways that most Cities simply cannot achieve. I have been so motivated to deepen my sense of connection to our community and find new ways to ensure a sense of belonging at City Springs Theatre Company for all.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am so proud to serve as the Executive Director of City Springs Theatre Company, Atlanta’s newest professional non-profit theatre company, located in Sandy Springs. Georgia. In 2017, four residents from Sandy Springs decided to create their very own local theatre company to perform in the brand-new Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. While the building was being built, the non-profit theatre company was simultaneously being formed. The 1,000 seat Performing Arts Center opened in August 2018 and City Springs Theatre Company produced its first production in September 2018. Since inception, we have served over 240,000 patrons and 135,000 students and educators from 49 states in the nation. Each season, we produce 4-5 large-scale, Broadway-quality musical theatre productions, which feature large casts, excellent production values, a live orchestra, and audiences averaging 85% occupancy each night. In our first season, we also launched a Conservatory arts education program, which is focused on exposing students to these high-quality productions and also training those students who wish to pursue a career in the performing arts. Each week, we train over 350 students at our studio space off of Northridge in Sandy Springs. I began as the Managing Director in 2017 for the Company and was promoted to Executive Director in 2021. I have the pleasure of overseeing our day-to-day operations including 11 full-time staff members, raising roughly $3 million a year, and developing the overall artistic vision for the organization. This season marks our 7th season, which features Disney’s Frozen this December, Ragtime in March, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical in May. Season 8 will be announced in February so stay tuned for what’s next!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I always love meeting with young people and helping to inspire their next steps in the arts whether it be as a performer, technician or arts administrator. I have been very fortunate to move up in my career quite quickly but I believe the reasons I’ve been able to do so are because of my determination and drive to succeed. Throughout my career, I have tried to live by the following three principles: 1) Be a sponge. None of us know all of the answers so be willing to learn, ask questions, and make mistakes. 2) Work hard. I know it’s cliche but it absolutely matters and will be noticed by those around you. And, 3) Focus on the “why” you’re doing something to ensure that the decision is made with good intentions. When I was first starting out in my career, I constantly told people “yes” so that I could gain as much experience as possible. There have been times where the work I put in went unnoticed, but the majority of the time, it has paid off with people who recognize and appreciate those who go above and beyond. And, for the times it went unnoticed, it helped me realize that I was not working for the right organization. I would encourage young people to keep an open mind, reach out and make introductions to people who are already successfully achieving what you hope to achieve, and then just go for it! Many times we are the only ones holding us back. So, imagine what could happen if there was nothing standing in your way! That’s how I try to approach my career and the way I lead City Springs Theatre Company. The sky should be the limit, but I will be willing to put in as much work as it takes to get there.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

I have always been very focused on having mentors throughout my career. And, I ensure that my mentors all have varying skillsets and backgrounds. I try to surround myself with people that have different, yet similar, skillsets or career paths, so I can gain various perspectives. I love meeting with people and hearing how they handle certain situations. I also think it’s very important to have a small group of people in your life that you know 100% you can confide in. For me, that’s always been family. Careers, and life in general, are stressful with so many moving parts. There is no roadmap to success or a crystal ball to tell you what to do. Having a support system of mentors has absolutely been how I have tackled some of my most challenging obstacles. Never be afraid to connect and ask for help. While that can be scary, it’s important to identify those are on your side and want to help you get where you want to go!

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Image Credits

Photos by KBT Productions and Mason Wood.

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