Ryan Gruss joined the staff of the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo nine years ago as the box office manager, later becoming director of patron services and campus ticketing. Now he’s been tapped as the interim managing director following Chris Miller’s retirement.

“Throughout my time here, I’ve had the pleasure of working with so many of our patrons, arts organizations and community members,” he says in a recent message to patrons. “This space has had a large impact on my life, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead our team as interim managing director.”

Some 250 people are needed to keep the PAC functioning, including volunteers, Cal Poly student workers, part-time tech and house manager crew members, and full-time staff. “It is an honor to be a part of this team, Gruss says. “This group cares deeply about the importance of the arts in our community and aims to provide you with an amazing experience each time you give us the chance to serve you.”

By Charlotte Alexander

Charlotte Alexander is an award-winning author, editor, and publisher, with experience in media, higher education, and nonprofit settings. She has been writing reviews of local theatre productions since 2010, and her work has appeared in SLO Life Magazine, SLO Journal Plus, SLO City News, Two for the Show {Central Coast}, and most recently on her website WiseToTheWords.com. She is the co-author of "When Your Pet Outlives You: Protecting Animal Companions After You Die" (New Sage Press 2002; reprinted 2004), which won a Muse Medallion Book Award from the Cat Writers’ Association. She owns and operates C|C Imprint.