06/12/2026
It is with deep gratitude that we congratulate our dear friend and team member, Kara Grover, on her next chapter in life as she moves to Las Vegas, Nevada. We will miss her terribly, but we know the Sumter Opera House will always be “home” for her.
Kara joined us as our Theater Services Coordinator in 2023, and our mission has advanced significantly due to her many contributions. We are indebted to her many creative ideas, effervescent passion, ingenuity and resourcefulness, and true commitment to the arts.
It is specifically under her care that our Y.E.S Program broke records with underserved children reached in Sumter, Calhoun, and Lee counties. Kara played a pivotal role in launching our Acoustic Café series as we transitioned to a dormant season on our main stage during construction. Two of our Acoustic Café programs featured her own graceful talents as a coloratura soprano during “Celebrating Women Composers” and “The Golden Age of Christmas.” (If you made it to those shows, you know what an incredible performer she is in addition to being an administrator of the arts.)
Kara’s role expanded into many forms of outreach, from making her wildly successful mark on our eSTEAM Festival booth and deepening our connections with local businesses, venue rentals, and other external partners, to helping lead our ushers with care and authenticity through the many changes we’ve seen over these past few years. Kara was an early champion for our venue’s revitalization needs and has played an integral role in helping these construction plans come to life.
Kara, there aren’t enough words to describe how impactful you have been for our team. Although we will miss you, we are so excited for your next chapter in life with your incredible family. You’ve always got a place here with us and we’ll be cheering you on wherever you go!
Congrats, Kara! 🎉
