At first glance, Baton Rouge, La., and Spokane seem pretty different. One city is nestled in the hot and humid deep South, while the other is on the dry side of the Pacific Northwest.

A closer look reveals surprising similarities. Sure, Baton Rouge is predominantly black, while Spokane is overwhelmingly white. Baton Rouge, at least according to 2012 U.S. census data has a population of 230,000, compared to 210,000 for Spokane. In terms of community theater, the similarities are even more striking. Theatre Baton Rouge was founded in 1948 and produces dramas, comedies and musicals on a main stage and in a studio theater. Spokane Civic Theatre, meanwhile, was founded in 1949 and also produces dramas, comedies and musicals on a main stage and in a studio theater.

So it makes a little sense that Keith Dixon would trade in the balmy Southern college town for a not-often-at-all balmy northern locale.

Which is what he’ll do this June, when he leaves Louisiana and moves to Spokane, where he’ll become Civic’s new artistic director.

Read the complete article by Caroyln Lamberson at the Spokesman Review. (photo by Colin Mulvany.)