Longtime GTA business director dies

CLERMONT - The longtime business manager for Gainesville Theatre Alliance and a tireless advocate for the arts in the North Georgia community died Monday.

Francine Dibben worked with GTA for over 20 years where she spearheaded the audio-description program and taught a class on Theate for Socal Change. She also served on the Clermont Town Council, Atlanta Coalition for the Performing Arts, and the Southeastern Theatre Conference.

Director of GTA Jim Hammond said Dibben turned the theatre organization into a family.

"She was the driving force of our outreach into the community, of our efforts to use theatre as a tool for improving lives," said Hammond.

A memorial gathering is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20 in the atrium area of the Continuing Educational Building at Gainesville State College.

Dibben was 60 years old.