Riverland Community College named Lindsey Duoos Williams new theater instructor and director. Williams’ hiring comes after a comprehensive search that presented candidates from across the U.S.

As part of the academic faculty, Williams’ primary responsibilities will be to teach the theater curriculum at Riverland as well as directing and producing the college’s student theater season. She succeeds former director/instructor Jerry Girton, who retired in May.

Williams received a Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California (USC) School of Theatre.

“Although my graduate studies were specialized in the area of musical theatre,” Williams said, “my professional background encompasses a wide variety of theatrical experiences, both in professional and educational venues.”

Williams’ career has been primarily focused on the areas of acting, directing and producing. In 2007, Williams was nominated for an NAACP Theatre Award for her direction of “The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin” at the Pico Playhouse in Los Angeles. Recently, she worked with some of Broadway’s top talent at the Los Angeles agency Kazarian/Spencer/ Ruskin & Associates, where she scouted theatrical talent and aided in the development of new musical theatre projects.

“As a Minneapolis native, I’m thrilled to be returning to my home state of Minnesota,” Williams said. “I’m particularly excited to begin getting to know the Riverland community. I look forward to continuing the legacy of excellence in theatrical programming at Riverland, as well as finding new ways to better serve our community and students.”

Williams is already focused on selecting and securing rights for the 2011-2012 theatrical season, which she hopes will include a beloved classic musical, an exciting contemporary drama, a Pulitzer prize-winner, and an old-fashioned comedy.