Parsons Dance names new executive director

Parsons DanceJohn Krasno, a seasoned arts administrator with extensive business experience, has been named the new executive director of Parsons Dance, an internationally renowned contemporary dance company based in New York City.

 

“I am so happy to join Parsons Dance. This is an incredible opportunity to support a great choreographer in a wonderful organization,” Krasno said.

 

Krasno joins Parsons Dance after a three-year tenure with the Oklahoma City Ballet, where he served as the executive director. Under his leadership the company’s audience and budget doubled. He also worked with local authorities to create a nationally lauded educational program to bring the arts to economically disadvantaged public school children.

 

Prior to his entry into dance, Krasno worked primarily in arts and entertainment-adjacent areas including serving as chief operating officer for the Drama Department, a non-profit New-York based theater company. Krasno also worked as president and chief operating officer of Stick Figure Productions, a forward-looking documentary and television production company.

 

Before working in theater and production, Krasno served for more than a decade as vice president and general manager at Panavision, the leading manufacturer and distributor of camera equipment and lenses for the motion picture industry.

 

“All of us at Parsons Dance are thrilled and excited to have John Krasno join our team. We welcome him back to New York,” said David Parsons, artistic director of Parsons Dance. “I look forward to working with John to take Parsons Dance to new creative heights with such strong operational support.”

 

Krasno will succeed David Harrison, who left to join the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival, Philly Fringe and Live Arts Brewery.

 

“I sincerely wish David Harrison all the success in his new adventure.  I will miss him dearly,” Parsons said.

 

Parsons Dance includes eight full-time dancers and maintains a repertory of more than 80 works choreographed by Parsons. The company is committed to building new audiences for contemporary dance by creating American works of extraordinary artistry.  It tours nationally and internationally, including an annual season in its home community.