Executive Director
Xavier Blake

A native of Bamberg SC, Mr. Blake spent over two decades at South Carolina Educational Television working in the nonprofit public media, arts and cultural sector. He has a robust portfolio as a videographer, producer, director and has been a Creative Mentor as part of an initiative of the South Carolina Arts Commission. Blake most recently held positions at WMHT Public Media in Troy, New York. Xavier and his family returned to Columbia in January 2023, where he currently serves as the Community Programming & Engagement Coordinator at Nickelodeon Theater. Blake earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina. He has a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from the University of South Florida and was a member of the inaugural class of Central Carolina Community Foundation’s BIPOC Leadership Training and Coaching Program. He is an annual presenter at the International Public TV Conference and served as a conference moderator at their 2022 convening in Taipei.

Office Manager/Public Information Officer
Rachel Fludd

Rachel Fludd has been immersed in the arts since her first dance lessons at three-years-old. Born in Columbia, and raised in Los Angeles and Connecticut, Rachel immersed herself in theater, dance, and music throughout her childhood. She studied dance and costume design at the College of Charleston, before completing her BA in  Communication at Columbia College.

Public Art Administrator
Pamela Zeljak

Pamela Zeljak is an impactful arts leader that has served the public and private sectors for the last sixteen years. She has used her knowledge in arts management, strategic planning, project management, and building relationships with artists to carry out over 20 public art projects.  Some that can be found in Ocala, FL Inverness, FL, Lauderhill, Fl and Oklahoma City, Her expertise in public art has led to partnerships with companies like CPH Engineering, Edward Jones, Colen Built Development, and the Culture Curators.  Pamela’s main focus in her public art practice is representation and accessibility for all.

Photo credit: Meagan Gumpert Photography

Community Engagement Specialist
Darion McCloud

Darion McCloud is no stranger to the arts community in Columbia. He is cofounder and creative director of the NiA Theatre Company and is the creator and Captain of Story Squad. As a professional storyteller he has performed in venues as varied as prisons and the Governor’s Mansion, though he may be most fond of being the favorite of many school children. Some of Darion’s most favorite roles include Macduff in MacBeth, Othello in Othello, Levee in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Bernard in Boys in the Band, Actor 5 in Transparency of Val, Other in The White Problem among others. 

Technical Theater Project Manager
Stephen Bell

Stephen is a Stage Designer and Theatre Technician. He is a Junior at the University of South Carolina majoring in Music Industry Studies and minoring in Media Arts. Stephen has been working in Live Production for 7 years and is dedicated to educating the next generation of Production Artists. He is currently working as the Project Coordinator of the newly launched Technical Theater Initiative for One Columbia.