Historic Cabot Theater's Executive Director To Depart Beverly Landmark

BEVERLY, MA — Casey Soward, who helped guide the reopening and restoration of the century-old Cabot Theater in Beverly, is leaving his position after nearly 10 years to become the new president and chief executive officer at the Boch Center in Boston.

Soward helped captain the return to glory of the theater after it was nearly demolished in 2014, and also stewarded it through the COVID-19 health crisis closure in 2020, virtual and alternative programming for nearly a year, and then its return to profit and prominence when most COVID restrictions were lifted in 2021.

The Cabot now welcomes more than 110,000 patrons annually to concerts, films, theater productions and its community conversations series.

"The Cabot has been a cornerstone of my life for the past decade, providing me with countless opportunities to grow both personally and professionally," said Soward. "I can't express enough how incredible it has been to work with the phenomenal team at The Cabot. Their passion, dedication, and hard work have been the backbone of our success.

"The board, the staff, and all our wonderful patrons have been nothing short of amazing, and I am deeply grateful for their unwavering support. I am confident that we have set The Cabot up for success in the long term. I have faith in the senior Leadership team and Board to select The Cabot's next Executive Director who will successfully lead the organization through its next chapter."

According to the theater, the Cabot's revitalization has significantly contributed to downtown Beverly's economic growth, attracting new businesses and spurring urban development in the surrounding area. The Cabot's annual economic impact on the local community is estimated to be over $10 million annually.

The Cabot's Board of Directors has begun a nationwide search for its next executive director.

Kimberley Ballard, Director of Philanthropy & Community Relations, Jill Davidson, Director of Event Operations, and Amy Jaromin, Director of Finance and Administration, will serve as co-interim executive directors when Soward departs this fall.

They will work closely with Mark Jaffe, Board Chair of The Cabot, until The Cabot's next leader is selected.

"Casey's decade of leadership at The Cabot has been nothing short of transformative," Jaffe said. "His vision, passion, and unwavering commitment have elevated The Cabot to new heights, making it a center of culture and community on the North Shore.

"We are profoundly grateful for his many contributions and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. As we look to the future, we do so with confidence, knowing that Casey's work has laid a strong foundation for continued success and growth. On behalf of the entire board, we wish him the very best in his next chapter and extend our heartfelt thanks for his extraordinary service."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)