Board Member: Howard Parr

Executive Director, Akron Civic Theatre

Howard Parr serves as the executive director of the Akron Civic Theatre, a historical atmospheric theater in Downtown Akron that brings local and national productions to our region. Howard has held that position since 2007, and in addition to coordinating programming for the Civic Theatre, he and his team help manage productions at Lock 3 and Lock 4 Parks, outdoor performance venues adjacent to the theater, Goodyear Theatre, and EJ Thomas Hall on-campus at The University of Akron.

In 2020, Howard and his team led a multi-year capital campaign, “Staging The Future,” which raised $9 million to transform the 1929 theater, exceeding its $8.5 million goal. These resources supported the redevelopment of the Bowery block in downtown Akron by adding a new venue, The Knight Stage, completing the restoration of the Grand Lobby and Arcade entry, and creating a new box office and administrative offices.

Prior to his role as executive director, Howard served as director of development and planning at the Civic from 1998–2004, during which the theatre completed a $22.5 million expansion and restoration project.

Howard received Summit Artspace Arts Alive award in 2021, and in 2018, he was selected by Ohio Arts Council as the recipient of the Governor’s Award for the Arts in Arts Administration. In 2016, he received the Peg’s Foundation Impact Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievements in mental health, education, and the arts. Howard is a Class 30 Leadership Akron graduate, and he serves on the board of Akron Soul Train as well as the Akron Civic Commons Core Team.

Outside of his work in Akron, Howard has co-produced an original gospel, jazz, and R&B musical based on the life of the Apostle Paul, which enjoyed a 36-performance run including stops in New York City and Chicago. He has also worked for Ohio Ballet and Cleveland Sign stage Theatre, and in both organizations set records for revenue and ticket sales.

Howard lives in Akron with his wife Laura DiCola. He has two daughters – Theresa, currently a student-athlete at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, and Francine, who serves as Artistic Director for the Civic’s Millennial Theatre Project.