NORTHAMPTON — A theater executive with more than 30 years of experience in performance, directing, education and arts administration has been selected to lead the historic Academy of Music downtown.

The Academy of Music announced Tuesday that it has hired Ray Dumont as executive director of the 274 Main St. venue. Dumont, currently executive director of The Public Theatre in Lewiston, Maine, will replace Debra J’Anthony, who is retiring after nearly two decades in the role.

Dumont will begin his role part time on Wednesday, July 1, while commuting from Maine to finish work at The Public Theatre. His role will begin full time on Saturday, Aug. 1, and J’Anthony will stay at the Academy until Friday, Aug. 7, to assist Dumont before she retires.

The Academy of Music will also host an event in September to celebrate J’Anthony’s tenure there and introduce Dumont to the community.

“An exciting new adventure! How lucky I am to work full time in the performing arts! I get to do what I love every single day. I never take that for granted,” Dumont wrote on social media.

Dumont was born and raised in Maine. He graduated from Boston University School of Management, where he majored in finance and marketing. He has more than three decades of experience with professional theater in various capacities, including performance, directing, education, choreography, and production. He has been a member of the Actors’ Equity Association since 1995.

Dumont worked at Maine State Music Theatre for more than 25 seasons, including four years as managing director from 1999 to 2003.

In the release, Dumont said, “I’m overjoyed to be named executive director of the Academy of Music and to become a part of Northampton’s vibrant arts community. It is a profound honor [to] continue the Academy’s legacy of extraordinary entertainment in all realms of the live performing arts. I look forward to working with the exceptional team and Board of Directors as we write the Academy’s next chapter.”

J’Anthony served the organization for 18 years, following 16 years of executive direction at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls. In a statement Tuesday, the Academy’s board of directors said that J’Anthony’s tenure at the historic venue ushered in extensive restorations and renovations to the building and updates to theatrical equipment; expanded programming that includes a Season Series, several community-based series, and greater youth educational offerings; and a re-establishment of the Academy of Music as an important center for live performance in the Pioneer Valley.

“I am very excited and happy for Ray,” J’Anthony said in a statement. “He will have the opportunity to continue to bring the Academy forward and serve this beautiful and creative community.”