Mary M. Thames (’21)
Mary M. Thames graduated from the program with an MS in Arts Administration and certificate in performing arts enterprise in 2021. During her time at BU Mary was a member of the Arts Administration Student Association and was inducted into Tri-Alpha, a national honor society for first generation college students. Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre (Directing) from the University of North Texas, where she graduated Cum Laude in 2015. She represented the Dance & Theatre Department as an ambassador for the College of Arts and Science. As a graduating senior, Mary was honored with the Outstanding Student in Theatre Performance award at UNT’s Honors Day in 2015.
Following the completion of her undergraduate degree, Mary participated in the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World. It was there that she met her future husband and moved to his hometown of Boston.
In Boston, Mary worked as a leasing consultant for Windsor Communities while house managing at Central Square Theater kept her close to the performing arts. Working as an administrative assistant at Boston University gave Mary the time to direct projects with Fresh Ink Theatre, North Shore Players, and The Open Theatre Project. Through BU’s generous tuition remission program, Mary was also able to pursue an M.S. in Arts Administration with a certificate in Performing Arts Enterprise.
In November of 2020, Mary launched Thames Royal Media, a social media management company aiming to provide quality digital marketing services to performing arts organizations who lack the tools or time to curate their own online presence.
Mary currently lives in Austin, TX with her husband and two cats.
I am looking forward to learning more about financial management, fund-raising, and grant writing within the performing arts world. The Arts Administration program at Boston University offers me the opportunity to fill some of my gaps in knowledge, and I am grateful for the opportunity to begin my studies.