Rae Dobrovolsky (she/her) is a lifelong theater kid turned arts leader who believes in the power of storytelling to bring people together and spark change. As Director of Development at Santa Fe Playhouse, she brings both vision and momentum to the work of building community, securing resources, and ensuring the Playhouse continues to thrive for generations to come.
Most recently, Rae served as Advancement Services Manager at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), where she was part of the advancement team behind one of the most successful fundraising campaigns supporting student scholarships.
Before that, Rae spent seven transformative years at HITS Theatre in Houston, TX, where she helped guide the organization into a new era. She led a capital campaign to renovate classrooms and performance spaces, expanded scholarship access for students, and increased individual giving by 66% in just one year. She also restructured donor and sponsorship programs, refreshed the annual fundraising calendar, and introduced eco-conscious practices that became part of the organization’s identity. Rae also redesigned HITS’ marketing and branding to center student voices, a project that inspired her to launch RDDesigns in 2022 as a creative outlet. Through RDDesigns, she continues to explore design as a way to tell stories and support nonprofits, artists, and small businesses.
A performer for nearly three decades, Rae has brought a wide variety of roles to life, some favorites include Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!, Ilona Ritter in She Loves Me, and Queenie in The Wild Party. Beyond performing, she has hands-on experience in every area of theatre—onstage, behind the scenes, and in business management—giving her a uniquely holistic perspective that informs everything she does in the arts.
Rae moved to Santa Fe with her family at the end of 2024 and is happily settling into her new home—exploring the city, growing her jungle of houseplants, and continuing to perform. She’s thrilled to bring her blend of artistry, leadership, and heart to the Playhouse and to help shape its next chapter.
Website: http://raedobrovolsky.com