Placement Announcements

Aiyana Cunningham named the new Managing Director at Artists Rep 

ART’s Board of Directors approved the recommendation by the search committee for the next Managing Director

Portland, OR, June 29, 2023 - After an inclusive, nationwide search by ALJP Consulting, Portland, OR based Artists Repertory Theatre has announced that Aiyana Cunningham  will be joining their staff and board as the new Managing Director.

ALJP Consulting led the executive search process, in partnership with a diverse search committee of stakeholders. Francesca McKenzie, Consultant at ALJP, said of the appointment, “Aiyana was the clear choice for this leadership role due to the glowing reviews and unabashed excitement we received from the ART community. Her enthusiasm and passion for the work, as well as her commitment to stewarding a culture of care, will usher in an innovative, provocative, and inclusive new chapter for Artists Repertory Theatre.” The search committee included: Pancho Savery, Jeanette Harrison, Melory Mirashrafi, Meg Schenk, Lava Alapai, Norma Dulin, Michael Szporluk, Michael Davidson, and Josie Seid; the search was led by McKenzie, supported by ALJP Principal Kim Davis. Over 100 candidates nationwide applied for the role, and the process incorporated feedback from a wide variety of board, staff, resident artists and other members of the ART community. 

Read more: Aiyana Cunningham named new Managing Director

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Aiyana Cunningham (she/her/them) Aiyana Cunningham is a strategic arts leader driven by the transformative power of our collective stories. Over the past 15 years she has been an activator and connector in Portland’s theater community, holding leadership and staff positions at organizations driving change and producing innovative work including Profile Theatre, Portland Center Stage, and The Red Door Project. Aiyana will be leaving her position as Development Director at Portland Playhouse. Through this work she has acquired significant connections within the local cultural ecology, and gained strong knowledge of operational excellence and funding resources. She has built a network of healthy relationships with artists, community partners, significant donors, and our most engaged audience members — all of which she is thrilled to continue stewarding in her new role as Artists Repertory Theatre’s Managing Director. Aiyana is excited to join a talented team that is dedicated to delivering ART’s mission and values. She’s honored to support the creative vision of Artistic Director Jeanette Harrison, and to work alongside Jeanette to lead a thriving company. Aiyana will also work closely with J.S. May in completing the RISE Capital Campaign, funding the renovation and return to ART’s home theater on SW Morrison. She looks forward to working with the many people invested in ART’s bright future as the company expands its presence as a cultural anchor that produces provocative work with an unparalleled commitment to creative incubation.  

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ARTISTS REPERTORY THEATRE’S (Artists Rep or ART) mission is to produce intimate, provocative theatre and provide a home for a diverse community of artists and audiences to take creative risks. Artists Rep (est. 1982) is Portland’s oldest professional theatre company and has become a significant presence in the U.S. regional theatre with a legacy of world, national, and regional premieres of provocative new work with the highest standards of stagecraft. In 2016, ART became the 72nd member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and is an Associate Member of the National New Play Network (NNPN). Plays developed by ART have subsequently been produced in New York, Chicago, London, and throughout the country. Recognition for ART developed plays includes the Dramatists Guild Foundation Award, the Edgerton New Play Award, NEA Funding, the Mellon Foundation National Playwright Residency Program, American Theatre Magazine’s Most-Produced Plays, and coverage in the New Yorker and the New York Times. In 2021, the Oregon Media Production Association (OMPA) honored Artists Rep with the Creative Innovation Award for the company’s pivot to digital mediums in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. ART recognizes that we are a predominately white organization and operate within systemic racism and oppression, and that silence and neutrality are actions of complicity. We commit ourselves to the work of becoming an anti-racism and anti-oppression organization, and will work with urgency to end racial inequities in our industry and our culture. To learn more about our organization and programs, please visit https://artistsrep.org/about/ 

ALJP Consulting is a black-owned, woman-owned, mission driven firm specializing in executive search, strategic planning, board coaching and development,facilitation, and equity, diversity and inclusion strategy for the arts and beyond. ALJP was founded in the Summer of 2019 to fill a need in the arts and culture field for consulting firms dedicated to creating an industry ecosystem that looks like the world in which we live. While reimagining the Arts and Culture Sector, we put inclusion and equity at the heart of our consulting practice. Current and recent clients include: Manhattan Class Company (MCC), The Field, Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC), New York Theatre Workshop, Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre, The Flea, Noor Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, American Repertory Theater at Harvard University, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Penumbra Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Marin Theatre Company, The Broad Stage, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, Pivot Arts, Bronx Council on the Arts, Arts Council of Greater New Haven, Visual AIDS, and Trinity Repertory Company. aljpconsulting.com

Magik Theatre Names Melissa Zarb-Cousin as Managing Director 

Formerly VP of Development and Chief of Staff at The Children’s Shelter, Zarb-Cousin joins the San Antonio-based organization dedicated to inspiring and creating a love of learning for young minds.

San Antonio, TX, June 29, 2023 - After an inclusive, nationwide search by ALJP Consulting, San Antonio-based Magik Theatre has announced that Melissa Zarb-Cousin will be joining their staff and board as the new Managing Director, effective May 2023. Zarb-Cousin, a committed public servant who has dedicated her career to serving the youth of San Antonio by providing increased access to education and resources will be the first to hold the newly created role. Melissa was most recently an interim VP of Development and Chief of Staff at The Children’s Shelter. 

This is a long-awaited homecoming for Zarb-Cousin as she began her career in nonprofits at The Magik Children’s Theatre, after receiving her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from the College of Santa Fe. There, she wore many hats, from performer to events manager. 

Magik Theatre CEO, Frank Villani, states “We were seeking a dynamic and inspirational addition to our team, who embodies our commitment to the principles of arts education, promoting literacy, and providing quality arts programming for families. I believe that we have found that and more in Melissa and we are incredibly delighted to welcome her back to our Magik Theatre family.”

Noted Zarb-Cousin, “I could not be more excited to work with Magik Theatre to address the needs of the San Antonio community and the creative education of the children here. It has long been my goal to continue to broaden the scope of my impact through my non-profit work and I look forward to serving this community through the power of art.”   

Melissa Zarb-Cousin is a life-long learner with over a decade of nonprofit management and strategy experience, with expertise spanning administration and change management. Early on, Melissa worked as a classroom teacher and department head for NEISD. After a few fruitful years in the classroom, Melissa returned to nonprofits and applied her education and experience to the most underserved children in the San Antonio community. 

Kim Davis, Principal at ALJP Consulting, said of the placement, “Melissa is a formidable leader in the San Antonio nonprofit community bringing diverse experiences including theatre and social services for youth. We are thrilled to have managed this exciting appointment, especially as Melissa started her career at Magik Theatre and will continue to drive incredible impact in this field. The search committee was instrumental in ensuring a truly diverse and inclusive search. We had an overwhelming response for the role, and the process incorporated feedback from a variety of groups.”

The search was led by Board President, Pam Bramble along with a dedicated committee of staff, board and artists with support from ALJP.

Read more: Magik Theatre San Antonio Names Melissa Zarb-Cousin as Managing Director

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Melissa Zarb-Cousin (she/her/hers) has dedicated her career to serving the youth of San Antonio by providing increased access to education and resources. She has over 10 years of nonprofit management and strategy experience, with expertise spanning administration and change management, achieving optimal results with competent planning, organization, and solutions-oriented approaches while driving organizational growth and strategic alliances. After receiving her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from the College of Santa Fe, Melissa began her career in nonprofits at The Magik Theatre. There, she wore many hats, from performer to events manager. She explored development, grants management, and arts administration, all while pursuing her Master's in Nonprofit Management from Our Lady of the Lake University. It was there she was inspired to dedicate her career to serving children in San Antonio. Melissa worked as a classroom teacher and department head for NEISD, teaching theatre and hosting UIL One-Act Play competitions on the district and bi-district levels. She served as Chief of Staff and Project Director for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant which served over 1200 children daily in two school districts, overseeing a staff of 60+ and utilizing a budget of $1.1 million annually. She also founded and developed The Alliance, a community advisory board composed of young professionals, focused on program support, advocacy, networking, and board training. While at SA Youth, Melissa recognized an opportunity to gain more experience in another department and transitioned to the Senior Director of Development position. Melissa was afforded the opportunity to explore and garner additional marketing and advertising skills outside of the nonprofit sector in her work with Parallel, A Branding Agency. Serving as Operations and Client Manager, she was able to broaden her network and skillset during this unique opportunity, managing a portfolio of $1 million in revenue and implementing policies, procedures, and new technology to propel the efficacy of the organization, which went from a $1.5 million operating budget to double that in one year. 

Continuing her mission to serve the children of our community, she now works at The Children’s Shelter, a 122 year old organization dedicated to restoring innocence to children that have experienced trauma and strengthening families. As Chief of Staff and Interim VP of Development, she is responsible for managing the Board of Trustees, executive team, and revenues for a $7m annual budget. A dedicated public servant, Melissa has participated on many boards and nonprofit committees, most recently the Advisory Board for the Emerging Leaders Program of the United Way of San Antonio, the Artistic Advisory Committee of the Public Theatre, and the Recruitment Committee for the SA2020 2022 Board Game. She also serves on the arts committee and the U40 committee at the San Antonio Rotary Club. 

Magik Theatre's mission is to use the power of theatre to create Magikal storytelling for children that Activates imagination, Grows young minds, and Inspires creativity and a love of learning that is Key to a more literate future for our community. For more information, visit MagikTheatre.org

ALJP Consulting is a black-owned, woman-owned, mission driven firm specializing in executive search, strategic planning, board coaching and development, and facilitation. ALJP was founded in the Summer of 2019 to fill a need in the arts and culture field for consulting firms dedicated to creating an industry ecosystem that looks like the world in which we live. While reimagining the Arts and Culture Sector, we put inclusion and equity at the heart of our consulting practice. ALJP specializes in executive search, strategic planning, board coaching and development, and equity, diversity and inclusion strategy for the arts and beyond. Our current and recent clients include MCC, The Field, Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC), New York Theatre Workshop, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Visual AIDS, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Bronx Council on the Arts, Long Wharf Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Marin Theatre Company, The Broad Stage, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, Pivot Arts, and Trinity Repertory Company. aljpconsulting.com

Castle of our Skins names Ciyadh Wells first Executive Director

The Boston based Black arts institution will expand its impact and operations with this newly created position.

Boston, MA, June 22, 2023 - After an inclusive nationwide search led by ALJP Consulting and a dedicated group of board, staff, and affiliated artists, Boston’s Castle of our Skins has named Dr. Ciyadh Wells, a musician, scholar, activist, and arts administrator as Executive Director. Wells will be the first Executive Director in the company’s history. Founding Executive Artistic Director, Ashleigh Gordon, will take on the new role of Artistic Director.

Speaking about her new appointment, Wells said, “I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to serve as Castle of our Skins’ next Executive Director. As a Black artist myself, I strongly believe in the commitment that the organization has made to Black artists of all kinds and I look forward to the bright future we will build together.”

Lynn DuVal Luse, Chair of the Board of Directors and search committee member, said of Wells’ placement: "Dr. Wells brings a mix of valuable talents and skills to Castle of Our Skins, including expertise in fundraising for nonprofit arts organizations, activism around diversity and inclusion in the arts, and scholarly work in music. She is the right leader for our organization at this stage in our evolution and we are excited about her vision for expanding our impact for artists and audiences."

Jocelyn Prince, owner and Principal of ALJP, said of the search, “Ciyadh is a multi-talented musician and administrator with leadership experience in a variety of nonprofit organizations including Density512, Austin Soundwaves and the Institute for Composer Diversity. Her background as a scholar and champion for diversity and inclusivity in the arts will provide the Castle of our Skins with innovative mission and vision driven leadership. We are thrilled to have facilitated this search to support Castle of our Skins’ growth and expansion.” The search committee included Board Chair Lynn DuVal Luse, Board Member Josh Hahn, Board Secretary Steph Davis, Executive Artistic Director Ashleigh Gordon, Digital Media Manager Kelley Hollis, Patron Marshall Hughes, Teaching Artist Joi Harper, and Advisory Board Member Daniel Callahan. The collaborative process incorporated feedback from numerous affiliated artists, staff and board members, and public presentations from the final candidates to the Castle of our Skins community about their vision for the future of the organization.

The appointment comes at an exciting time for the organization, as their operational budget has increased dramatically due to additional investments from funders and the local community. 

Gordon is excited about the company’s new shared leadership model, commenting, “Ciyadh will be a welcomed and much needed thought partner and collaborator to help steer Castle of our Skins through the many growths and transitions ahead.”

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Dr. Ciyadh Wells (she/her/hers) is a multi-talented musician who not only considers herself an artist, but also an activist and scholar. With a passion for promoting diversity and inclusivity in the arts, she firmly believes that access to such experiences is crucial for a healthy society. Ciyadh strives to leverage the power of music, both classic and contemporary, to ignite transformative change and foster a sense of community. In addition to her many talents, Ciyadh is also an avid language learning enthusiast, always seeking to expand her linguistic horizons. She is excited to bring her skills and expertise to her new role at Castle of our Skins. 

Castle of Our Skins ​is a Black arts institution dedicated to fostering cultural curiosity and celebrating Black artistry through music. In classrooms, concert halls, and beyond, Castle of our Skins invites Black heritage and culture exploration, spotlighting both unsung and celebrated figures of past and present. ​Castle of our Skins is deeply aware of the lack of equity in composer representation on concert stages and the omission of important stories and figures in Black history. It is this lack of equity that we seek to change. ​Through carefully designed educational workshops and creative concert programs, we aim to highlight the achievements of Black artists and historical figures. Our intergenerational and interdisciplinary concerts range in themes from Black love, African American quilting, and Black Feminism to freedom, civil rights, visual arts and Black excellence. Through workshops, residencies, masterclasses, lectures, panel discussions and educational concert programs, we work to illustrate the breadth and depth of Black culture. The name Castle of our Skins comes from the celebrated poet Nikki Giovanni’s poem for nina. The poem beautifully captures the sense of adoration and celebration for the very fabric that makes us who we are: our skin. castleskins.org

ALJP Consulting is a black-owned, woman-owned, mission driven firm specializing in executive search, strategic planning, board coaching and development, and facilitation. ALJP was founded in the Summer of 2019 to fill a need in the arts and culture field for consulting firms dedicated to creating an industry ecosystem that looks like the world in which we live. While reimagining the Arts and Culture Sector, we put inclusion and equity at the heart of our consulting practice. ALJP specializes in executive search, strategic planning, board coaching and development, and equity, diversity and inclusion strategy for the arts and beyond. Our current and recent clients include MCC, The Field, Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC), New York Theatre Workshop, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, American Repertory Theater at Harvard University, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Long Wharf Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Marin Theatre Company, The Broad Stage, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, Pivot Arts, Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Trinity Repertory Company. aljpconsulting.com

MCC Theater Names Meggan Gomez as Director of Public Engagement & Education

Formerly at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Gomez joins the Off-Broadway theater dedicated to developing and producing bold new works, engaging audiences, and empowering artists

New York, NY, June 6, 2023 - After an inclusive, nationwide search by ALJP Consulting, MCC Theater has announced that Meggan Gomez will be joining their senior staff and as the new Director Education & Public Engagement, effective May 2023. Gomez, a longtime theater maker, arts administrator, educator and activist has worked with a variety of organizations, including Theatre of the Oppressed NYC, Working Classroom, and Abrons Arts Center. Meggan was most recently the Assistant Vice President of Faculty and Creative Practice at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. 

MCC Theater Executive Director, Blake West, states “We are thrilled to welcome Meggan to the MCC Theater team. She joins us at an exciting time as we continue exploring new ways to better and more responsively serve the students in all of our education programs, and in the growing community we connect with through our public engagement work. Throughout our robust search process it was clear that Meggan’s experience and expertise, along with her curiosity and innovative thinking, made her the right person to lead this department and our work in this area.”

Noted Gomez, “From our partnerships in schools, the opportunity to build community, to the exciting artists and new work coming out of our youth company, this role encompasses such a beautiful synergy between the work that energizes my heart and creative spirit.  I look forward to building upon the inspiring foundation already laid at MCC, working together to imagine and create the future of our collective dreams.”

Meggan Gomez is a theater-maker, facilitator, and cultural strategist who has worked at the intersection of arts and social justice for over 15 years. Before NJPAC and  her role as the second Executive Director at Theatre of the Oppressed NYC, she spent five years as the Theater Conservatory Director at Working Classroom in Albuquerque, NM. Originally from Pennsylvania, Meggan studied acting in the BFA program at Montclair State University before moving to New York City to create her own work at theaters like Theatre for the New City and Abrons Arts Center. Affiliations include Cornerstone Theater Company, The Hemispheric Institute of Performance and Politics, LaMaMa Umbria, TEDxABQ and The Latinx Theater Commons.

Jocelyn Prince, Owner and Principal at ALJP Consulting, said of the placement, “Meggan is a proven leader in arts education and engagement. Her deep ties to the NYC community and long standing commitment to social justice work will invigorate MCC’s programmatic vision for the future. We are thrilled for both Meggan and the MCC Theater organization.”

The search was led by a core team of MCC Theater staff, including Blake West (Executive Director), Beth Dembrow (General Manager), Will Cantler (co-Artistic Director), Abby Langsted (Director of Marketing & Audience Services), Dee Hughes (Manager of Education Programs), and Dom Martello (Public Engagement & Education Assistant), with support from ALJP.

Said Blake of working with ALJP, “The ALJP team led by Jocelyn brought a great rigor to our process, while also introducing us to a very exciting and diverse range of candidates.  We had a great experience on the journey and in this wonderful outcome. Our search was all the better because of our partnership."

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MCC THEATER is the award-winning off-Broadway theater company based in Hell’s Kitchen at the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space, a multi-theater venue that opened in 2019. MCC’s mission is to provoke conversations that have never happened and otherwise never would. MCC fulfills its mission across four main program areas: annual productions of new plays and musicals; artistic development; public engagement programs; and a range of in-school and after-school education programs that foster in high school students the desire to be heard and the courage to speak out.

ALJP Consulting is a black-owned, woman-owned, mission driven firm specializing in executive search, strategic planning, board coaching and development, and facilitation. ALJP was founded in the Summer of 2019 to fill a need in the arts and culture field for consulting firms dedicated to creating an industry ecosystem that looks like the world in which we live. While reimagining the Arts and Culture Sector, we put inclusion and equity at the heart of our consulting practice. ALJP specializes in executive search, strategic planning, board coaching and development, and equity, diversity and inclusion strategy for the arts and beyond. Our current and recent clients include MCC, The Field, Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC), New York Theatre Workshop, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, American Repertory Theater at Harvard University, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Long Wharf Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Marin Theatre Company, The Broad Stage, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, Pivot Arts, Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Trinity Repertory Company. aljpconsulting.com

The Field Names Christopher Bloodworth as Executive Director 

Formerly a National Director of the Entertainment Community Fund, Bloodworth joins the national organization dedicated to holistically supporting multidisciplinary artists.

New York, NY, March 2, 2023 - After an inclusive nationwide search by ALJP Consulting, arts service organization The Field has announced Christopher Bloodworth will be joining as the new Executive Director, effective March 2023. Christopher, an accomplished leader in the performing arts and entertainment spaces, will succeed Jamaine Smith, who assumed the role of Interim Executive Director in May 2022 following Jennifer Cook, who stepped down after 16 years heading the organization. Christopher was most recently a National Director at Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund).

Jamaine will work in tandem with The Field Staff and Board of Directors to welcome and onboard Christopher as the incoming Executive Director. Board Co-Chairs, Michael Wellington and Alice de Callatay, commented: “We are so grateful to Jamaine for his steady, compassionate leadership during this extended period of transition and really proud of our dedicated, hard-working staff. And we are incredibly delighted to welcome Christopher to our Field family.”

Noted Christopher, “I feel fortunate to have been granted the extraordinary opportunity to lead The Field, an organization that has devoted itself to ensuring artists thrive in all areas of their lives. I look forward to working with the board, staff, and artist community to develop creative ways to mitigate the unique challenges 21st century artists face.”   

Christopher D. Bloodworth is an avid arts advocate who has spent the past nine years helping performing arts and entertainment professionals define, refine, and expand the possibilities of an arts career.  During his time as the National Director of The Career Center at Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), Christopher launched The Creative Entrepreneur Project, The Arts Worker Resource Center, and integrated Career Transition For Dancers into The Fund. Under his leadership, tailored programs for dancers, comedians, musicians, stagehands, stage managers, live performers and more were designed and implemented. An artist in his own right, Christopher is a singer, writer, professional photographer, former podcast host and avid interior design enthusiast. Christopher has held leadership positions at Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services of Brooklyn and Queens, and the pension and annuity giant TIAA. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Social Work. Until recently, he served on the boards of the New York City Education & Training Coalition and the International Organization for the Transition of Professional Dancers.

Erica Lauren Ortiz, Principal at ALJP Consulting, said of the placement, “Christopher’s dynamic combined experience in arts administration and social work make him uniquely suited to lead The Field, supporting artists in a comprehensive way. We are thrilled to connect him with this wonderful organization.” The search was led by Board Co-Chair Michael Wellington, along with a dedicated group of staff, board and artists with support from ALJP.

Said Wellington of working with ALJP, “The team at ALJP was chosen due to their exceptional reputation in equity and inclusion and their shared values with our organization, and ultimately proved successful in sourcing a wide and diverse range of incredibly talented candidates - we are truly appreciative to have had a wealth of choices."

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The Field - Founded in 1986, The Field has stewarded $45 million and given more than 200,000 artists the services, guidance and resources they need to bring their bold artistic visions to life. Noted for  excellent service delivery and human touch, the Field’s work has been recognized by the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Rockefeller Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and more. Artists who have grown from Field support include Kyle Abraham, Young Jean Lee, Kaneza Schaal, Geoff Sobelle, Momenta Quartet, Michelle Dorrance, Okwui Okpokwasili, and hundreds of others.

thefield.org

Congratulations to Christopher and everyone at The Field on this exciting new chapter!

Rattlestick Theater names Will Davis as Artistic Director

The groundbreaking appointment of the transgender multi-disciplinary artist at the Off-Broadway nonprofit is part of a wave of significant leadership transitions in the American theater landscape.

New York, NY, February 27, 2023 - After an inclusive nationwide search led by ALJP Consulting and a dedicated group of board, staff, and affiliated artists, Off-Broadway’s Rattlestick Theater has named Will Davis, a director, choreographer, and producer of new work as Artistic Director. Davis will succeed Daniella Topol, who served as Artistic Director since 2016. 

Speaking about his announcement, Davis said, "I'm delighted to lead Rattlestick and look forward to working with the board and staff to launch the exciting next chapter for this remarkable theater. I'm grateful to Daniella Topol for her years of excellent leadership and for the opportunity to carry her work forward.”

Board Chair and Chair of the search committee, Jeff Thamkittikasem, said of Davis’ placement: “Will is just an amazing artist with a beautiful eye, and we’re so excited for that aesthetic to be used for developing the culture of Rattlestick.”

Will Davis currently is an Associate Professor of Directing in the John Wells Directing Program at the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), and Breaking the Binary Festival's advisory council. Prior to joining Rattlestick Theater, he also served as Artistic Director of the American Theatre Company in Chicago from 2016-2018, making history as the first transgender person to lead a major nonprofit institution without a defined LGBTQ mission.

Jocelyn Prince, owner and Principal of ALJP, said of the search, “Will is a transformative leader in the American theater. We are thrilled to have facilitated this historic appointment.” The search committee included Jeff Thamkittkasem, Ray Brunt, Faith Caitlin, Yue Liu, Jolene Noelle, Dael Orlandersmith and Cori Thomas, and was supported by ALJP consultants. Jocelyn Prince led the search process, supported by Francesca Fernandez McKenzie, and Erica Lauren Ortiz. Over 100 candidates nationwide applied for the role, and the inclusive process incorporated feedback from numerous affiliated Rattlestick groups and public presentations from the final candidates to the Rattlestick community in January.

Davis will assume the role full-time on May 1, 2023, after working over the next few months alongside Daniella Topol. The appointment comes at an exciting time for the theater company, with a $4-million renovation project scheduled to begin this year. 

Will Davis is excited to get to work at the theater, sharing, “Rattlestick has long been known for inventive and ambitious new work and it will continue to be a theater focused on the future of the form. Rattlestick is also a community-centered civic space, and I look forward to deepening our invitation to artists and community members who are looking for a place to call home. It’s thrilling to return to the downtown theater landscape where I began my career and I cannot wait to get started."

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Will Davis (he/him/his) is a transgender director and choreographer focused on physically adventurous new work for the stage. Davis is the first transgender person to lead a major nonprofit institution without a defined LGBTQ mission. Off-Broadway credits include: Road Show (Encores! Off-Center); India Pale Ale (MTC); Bobbie Clearly (Roundabout Underground); Charm (MCC); CALIFORNIA (Clubbed Thumb); Men on Boats (Clubbed Thumb and Playwrights Horizons—Lucille Lortel nomination); and Duat (Soho Rep).  Regional credits include: As You Like It (La Jolla Playhouse) The Swindlers (Baltimore Center Stage);  Everybody (Shakespeare Theater Company); A Doll’s House, Part 2 (Long Wharf Theatre); Colossal (Olney Theatre Center and Mixed Blood Theater—Helen Hayes award for best direction); and multiple productions for ATC in Chicago where Davis also served as artistic director. Davis is a member of the TCG board of directors, and the Breaking the Binary Festival's advisory council. He is an alum of the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab, the NYTW 2050 Directing Fellowship, the Brooklyn Art Exchange’s Artist in Residence program, and the Princeton Arts Fellowship. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Directing in the John Wells Directing Program at the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama.

Rattlestick Theater - Founded in 1994 by David van Asselt and Gary Bonasorte, Rattlestick Theater has been steadfast in producing diverse, challenging, and provocative plays while fostering the future voices of the American theater. Now in its 29th year, the company is focused on energetic theater that responds to the complexities of our culture in conversation with community partners. From its historic West Village theater, Rattlestick has produced the first plays and early works of some of today’s leading voices, including Martyna Majok (Ironbound), Diana Oh (mylingerieplay), and Heidi Schreck (There Are No More Big Secrets), and recently won an Obie for Arturo Luis Soria’s Ni Mi Madre. They are proud to make Rattlestick a place where some of our nation’s most celebrated playwrights feel safe to test their boldest ideas, including Dael Orlandersmith (Until the Flood), José Rivera (Massacre, Sing to Your Children), and Sam Hunter (Lewiston/Clarkston, nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play and the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play). Rattlestick provides fellowships to writers through the Van Lier Playwrights Program, the Terrence McNally Incubator Program, the Mellon Foundation’s Playwright-in-Residence Program, and has commissioned new work from numerous writers including Cusi Cram, Mahira Kakkar, Basil Kreimendahl, Dael Orlandersmith, Stacey Rose, Arturo Luis Soria, Cori Thomas, Liba Vaynberg, and Rhiana Yazzie. Rattlestick is also dedicated to supporting immigrant artists through the Global Gab and Global Forms Programs.

https://www.rattlestick.org/

December 7, 2022

 After an inclusive national search led by ALJP Consulting, Baltimore Center Stage has selected Adam J. Frank as the new Managing Director.  

"I am thrilled and honored to be joining Baltimore Center Stage...BCS is an institution that creates beauty and belonging, making great theater that builds bridges and community in powerfully innovative ways. I could not be more excited to join Stephanie and the extraordinary BCS staff and board as we nurture and grow that mission to be more equitable, sustainable, and accessible. Baltimore has been warm and welcoming to me and my family, and we can't wait to explore the city and put down roots." - Adam Frank

“Adam is a brilliant choice for this moment in BCS’s evolution. His experience in supporting new work and community-engaged programming is matched only by his incredible vision for what a theater can be going forward. I’m feeling like the luckiest Artistic Director to get to work in partnership with him.” - Stephanie Ybarra, Artistic Director

Adam J. Frank is an arts manager and theater-maker dedicated to live performance as a way to build community in the digital age. Mr. Frank has produced new theater and served in general management, marketing, and artistic capacities at theaters and festivals on both coasts of the United States. His past experience includes positions at Waterwell, The Public Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, the Los Angeles Music Center, and Yale Repertory Theatre, where he was most recently Associate Managing Director. Frank holds an MFA in Theater Management from Yale School of Drama and an MBA from Yale School of Management. While at Yale, he led the Nonprofit Board Fellowship program, which trains management students to become effective community leaders, and published a case study on marketing strategy at the Humana Festival of New American Plays. Prior to his graduate studies, Adam served as Marketing Manager of The Public Theater, where he led campaigns for The Public’s downtown season, the Under the Radar Festival, and Free Shakespeare in the Park.

Congratulations to Adam and everyone at Baltimore Center Stage on this exciting new chapter!

Visit centerstage.org to learn more about Baltimore Center Stage. 

Hiring Announcement: centerstage.org/adam-frank-md

October 28, 2022

After an inclusive search led by ALJP Consulting, Steppenwolf Theatre Company has selected PennyMaria Jackson as the new Director of Marketing and Communications.  

“I am honored to join Steppenwolf Theater Company during this significant and historic transition. This institution, which is firmly rooted in ensemble, is intentionally working to deepen and grow its community through programming that centers the global majority. As Steppenwolf redefines what it means to be a cultural institution, I endeavor to lead audience development programs, community engagement initiatives, and more. Joining this progressive company – under the exceptional and driven guidance of Brooke Flanagan, as well as Glenn Davis’ and Audrey Francis’ expansive, artistic vision – is an exciting new chapter.” -PennyMaria Jackson

PennyMaria Jackson is a dedicated arts professional, advocate, and enthusiast with 15 years of arts management experience. She has worked with renowned arts companies including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage, and various cultural organizations. Her multifaceted experience encompasses marketing, communications, community engagement, audience development, patron activations, live stream productions, augmented and virtual reality, and cultural and corporate partnerships. PennyMaria has managed projects with funders and corporations including The Wallace Foundation, Coca-Cola, and HBO, among others. Her community work in Harlem, NY has secured funding for artists negatively impacted by gentrification and increased accessibility to the arts through affordable ticket programs. In addition to her new role as Director of Marketing and Communications at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, she currently serves as a thought-partner to arts organizations invested in change including Kyoung’s Pacific Beat (a peacemaking theater company), the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP), and The Movement Theatre Company (TMTC). Born in Miami, Florida, and raised by a family of Bahamian immigrants, PennyMaria's interest in the arts and community was nurtured at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center in Liberty City. After studying Theatre and Journalism in undergraduate school, she earned an M.A. degree in Arts Journalism from Syracuse University. Utilizing the power of the arts as a driving force, PennyMaria is committed to bridging the gap between cultures for decades to come.

Congratulations to PennyMaria and everyone at Steppenwolf Theatre Company on this new hire!  

Visit steppenwolf.org to learn more about Steppenwolf Theatre Company. 

September 6, 2022

After an inclusive search led by ALJP Consulting, Alumni Theater Company has selected Bridgette Perdue as the new Executive Director.  

 "We have spent the past 6 months on an intensive search process led by ALJP Consulting out of Atlanta. Informed by a thorough analysis of ATC’s strengths, weaknesses, and goals for the future, built on input gathered from more than 100 stakeholders across our community, we put together a strong vision for our future, and a profile of the ideal next leader to get us there.

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We had promising applicants from across the country, but one person stood out as the clear best choice for ATC. In fact, one interviewer from ALJP said that this interview was one of the best she ever had in all the job searches she has conducted!" -Alumni Theater Company       

Bridgette Perdue graduated from Point Park University in 2006 with a dual degree in Music Theater Arts and Business Management in the Arts. For over 15 years, as a Musician, Teaching Artist and Consultant, she has served her community by fostering the artistic gifts of children across the city. As a Project Manager for several arts initiatives, she has designed curriculum, trained talent, allocated funding, and galvanized her network in support of delivering impactful art. Known for her charismatic leadership and collaborative approach, she has cultivated long standing relationships with arts and nonprofit organizations alike, including the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Staycee Pearl dance project, Pittsburgh Playwrights, Bricolage, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Propel Charter Schools, Gwen’s Girls, and the Suzuki Music Institute.

Congratulations to Bridgette and everyone at Alumni Theater Company on this news!  

Learn more about Alumni Theater Company and read their announcement here.   

May 25, 2022

After an inclusive search led by ALJP Consulting, New York Theatre Workshop has selected Patricia McGregor (she/her/hers) as the theater's new Director of Development.  

“I’m thrilled and honored to be named the new Artistic Director of New York Theatre Workshop. The extraordinary staff, artists and audiences of the Workshop have long inspired me. The need for the arts to combat social isolation, and revive the body politic towards a more just world is acute. NYTW’s dedication to dynamic work that deepens empathy and sparks wonder is vital. I look forward to centering accessibility, visibility and innovation so that more people are welcomed into this transformative community. From the hands of my magnificent friend Jim Nicola, a mighty baton has been passed. I take this task seriously and with great joy in my heart. I am ready to run my leg of the race.” - Patricia McGregor

Congratulations to Patricia and everyone at NYTW on this thrilling appointment!  

PATRICIA MCGREGOR (SHE/HER/HERS) Born in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, McGregor is a director and writer working in theatre, film, dance and music. McGregor has twice been profiled by The New York Times for her direction of world premieres. She was inaugural Artist in Residence for Adam Driver’s Arts in the Armed Forces and is an Old Globe Resident Artist. Her productions include Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole (co-writer and director; Geffen Playhouse, People’s Light); Sisters in Law(Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts); Shakespeare: Call and Response, Krapp’s Last Tape, What You Are, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Measure for Measure(The Old Globe); Skeleton Crew (Geffen Playhouse); Good Grief (Center Theatre Group); Hamlet (The Public Theater); Place (Brooklyn Academy of Music); The Parchman Hour(Guthrie Theater); Ugly Lies the Bone (Roundabout Theatre Company); brownsville song(Lincoln Center Theater); Indomitable: James Brown (Apollo Theater); Holding It Down (The Metropolitan Museum of Art); A Raisin in the Sun, The Winter’s Tale, and Spunk (California Shakespeare Theater); Adoration of the Old Woman (INTAR Theatre); Blood Dazzler (Harlem Stage); Four Electric Ghosts (The Kitchen); and the world premiere of Hurt Village (Signature Theatre Company).

McGregor served as director for HBO’s emerging writer’s showcase, and as tour consultant to Raphael Saadiq and J. Cole. She was Associate Director of Fela! on Broadway and for many years she has directed The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway. She co-founded Angela’s Pulse with her sister, choreographer, and organizer Paloma McGregor. McGregor attended SMU where she was a Presidential Scholar and the Yale School of Drama, where she was a Paul and Daisy Soros Fellow and Artistic Director of Yale Cabaret.

Learn more about New York Theatre Workshop here.   

March 16, 2022

After an inclusive search led by ALJP Consulting, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra has selected Lee Ramsey (she/her/hers) as the theater's new Director of Development.  

“It was a pleasure to work with ALJP Consulting during this hiring process,” shared Ramsey. “Al, Michael, and the incredible team were a great resource in understanding the priorities of Orpheus in seeking to fill this role and were so supportive as I sought to learn more about how I might fit in with this team.”  

Congratulations to Lee and everyone at Orpheus on this exciting new chapter!  

LEE RAMSEY (SHE/HER/HERS) joins Orpheus Chamber Orchestra from Music@Menlo in California's Bay Area. A lifelong lover of music, Lee began her career in arts administration at age 19. She has worked in development for a variety of arts organizations, including the Museum of Arts and Design, Experiential Orchestra, and Music@Menlo, and also the National MS Society, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation, and St. Mary's College of Maryland. Lee has a passion for community engagement and early access to arts education and is thrilled to be joining an organization with such a strong emphasis in both of those areas.  

ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA is a radical experiment in musical democracy, proving for fifty years what happens when exceptional artists gather with total trust in each other and faith in the creative process. Orpheus began in 1972 when cellist Julian Fifer assembled a group of New York freelancers in their early twenties to play orchestral repertoire as if it were chamber music. In that age of co-ops and communes, the idealistic Orpheans snubbed the “corporate” path of symphony orchestras and learned how to play, plan and promote concerts as a true collective, with leadership roles rotating from the very first performance.   It’s one thing for the four players of a string quartet to lean in to the group sound and react spontaneously, but with 20 or 30 musicians together, the complexities and payoffs get magnified exponentially. Within its first decade, Orpheus made Carnegie Hall its home and became a global sensation through its tours Europe and Asia. Its catalog of recordings for Deutsche Grammophon, Nonesuch and other labels grew to include more that 70 albums that still stand as benchmarks of the chamber orchestra repertoire, including Haydn symphonies, Mozart concertos, and twentieth-century gems by Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Ravel and Bartók.   The sound of Orpheus is defined by its relationships, and guest artists have always been crucial partners in the process. Orpheus brings the best out of its collaborators, and those bonds deepen over time, as heard in the long arc of music-making with soloists such as Richard Goode and Branford Marsalis, and in the commitment to welcoming next-generation artists including Nobuyuki Tsujii and Tine Thing Helseth. Breaking down the barriers of classical repertoire, partnerships with Brad Mehldau, Wayne Shorter, Ravi Shankar and many others from the sphere of jazz and beyond have redefined what a chamber orchestra can do. Relationships with composers and dozens of commissions have been another crucial way that Orpheus stretches itself, including a role for Jessie Montgomery as the orchestra’s first ever Artistic Partner. Having proven the power of direct communication and open-mindedness within the ensemble, the only relationship Orpheus has never had any use for is one with a conductor.  At home in New York and in the many concert halls it visits in the U.S. and beyond, Orpheus begins its next fifty years with a renewed commitment to enriching and reflecting the surrounding community. It will continue its groundbreaking work with those living with Alzheimer’s Disease through Orpheus Reflections, and the Orpheus Academy as well as the Orpheus Leadership Institute spread the positive lessons of trust and democracy to young musicians and those in positions of power. Each year, Access Orpheus reaches nearly 2000 public school students in all five boroughs of New York City, bringing music into their communities and welcoming them to Carnegie Hall. Always evolving as artists and leaders, the Orpheus musicians carry their legacy forward, counting on their shared artistry and mutual respect to make music and effect change.   

Learn more about Orpheus Chamber Orchestra here.   

Learn more about ALJP Consulting here.  

March 17, 2022

After an inclusive search led by ALJP Consulting, East West Players has selected Sunshine Lampitoc Smith (She/Her/Hers) as the theater's new Chief Operating Officer.

"Going through the hiring process with ALJP was so refreshing. Everyone I spoke with on the team was transparent and very supportive. I felt like I was treated as a whole individual and not just a candidate,” shared Lampitoc Smith. “I am thrilled to be returning to Los Angeles—where my theater career began in earnest—and am ecstatic to be at East West Players. With its longstanding history as a pioneering theater of color, EWP is a prominent part of my personal origin story in the theater. It is mind-blowing that I am now a part of the team that will build EWP's future. " 

Congratulations to Sunshine and everyone at East West Players! 

SUNSHINE LAMPITOC SMITH (SHE/HER/HERS) is a theater manager and producer with particular interests in amplifying and supporting marginalized artists and developing new works. She began her career in the Los Angeles 99-seat theater scene as a stage manager and producer with the Lodestone Theatre Ensemble. Since then, she has had the pleasure of being a part of the staff at renowned companies such as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Signature Theatre Company (NYC). Most recently, Sunshine resided in the San Francisco Bay Area and worked as the marketing & communications officer for Theatre Bay Area, the region’s arts service organization.  She remains an active company member with the Bay Area-based Ferocious Lotus Theatre Company, where she served as the group’s general manager. Sunshine earned her MFA in Theatre Management & Producing at Columbia University’s School of the Arts and is also a graduate of Occidental College.  

EAST WEST PLAYERS Founded in 1965, East West Players is committed to raising the visibility of the Asian American experience by presenting inventive world-class theatrical productions, developing artists of color, and providing impactful youth education programs. EWP’s vision is to inspire and advocate for a world free of racism and discrimination through transformative artistic works.

Learn more about East West Players here.

Learn more about ALJP Consulting here.  

March 8, 2022

After an inclusive search led by ALJP Consulting, Aurora Theatre Company has selected Francesca Gabourel (She/Her/Hers) as the theater's new Managing Director.   

Congratulations to Francesca and everyone at Aurora Theatre Company!  

FRANCESCA GABOUREL (SHE/HER/HERS) has over a decade of experience working for cultural and performing arts organizations with a strong focus on community engagement. Most recently, she served as the Events Audience Manager at KQED. In this role, she helped to launch KQED's new events program, KQED Live, and establish the guest experience at their renovated headquarters. In addition, she has held positions at significant art nonprofits throughout the Bay Area, including ODC, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and The Crucible. Gabourel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and Arts Administration from Simmons University in Boston, MA. 

AURORA THEATRE COMPANY inspires new audiences and longtime theatre lovers alike with the visceral power of live theatre. Aurora Theatre Company’s venues, the most intimate professional stages in the Bay Area, highlight great acting, nuanced language, and an immediacy that makes for exhilarating theatre. By telling profoundly relevant stories, Aurora Theatre Company is building a new culture of theatregoing in the Bay Area and contributing to a revitalization of theatre nationwide, challenging all of us to think deeper, laugh louder, and engage more purposefully and profoundly with our neighbors and our world.  

Learn more about Aurora Theatre Company here.

Learn more about ALJP Consulting here.  

March 1, 2022

After a national search led by ALJP Consulting, American Repertory Theater at Harvard University (A.R.T.) has selected Kelvin Dinkins Jr., (He/Him/His) as the theater's new Executive Director. He will begin co-Leadership of A.R.T. alongside Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director Diane Paulus on June 1, 2022.

This inclusive search process, led and managed by ALJP Principal Al Heartley, placed mindful and human-centered practices at the forefront. Dinkins shared, “I was thrilled to work with Al and this incredible team through such a robust and impactful search process. I could truly feel the support, encouragement and care that is demonstrated in ALJP's unique approach to the executive search process.” 

Congratulations to Kelvin and everyone at A.R.T. on this exciting new chapter! 

KELVIN DINKINS, JR., (HE/HIM/HIS) is a nationally recognized leader in American theater and a pioneering voice advocating for transformational culture change in theater leadership, management, and the industry at large. He is currently the General Manager of Yale Repertory Theater and Assistant Dean and Acting Chair of Theater Management at David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. Dinkins serves on the Board of Directors for the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and the Board of Trustees of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), Yale Cabaret, and the Princeton University Triangle Club. He is also the Co-Chair of the LORT Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee where he has developed initiatives to center collective action and raise the racial and gender representation in executive leadership in LORT theaters.  

THE AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER at HARVARD UNIVERSITY (A.R.T.) is a leading force in the American theater, producing groundbreaking work that is driven by risk-taking and passionate inquiry. A.R.T. was founded in 1980 by Robert Brustein, who served as Artistic Director until 2002, when he was succeeded by Robert Woodruff. Diane Paulus began her tenure as Artistic Director in 2008. Under the leadership of Paulus as the Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director, A.R.T. seeks to expand the boundaries of theater by programming transformative theatrical experiences, always including the audience as a central partner. A.R.T. is committed to a long-term process of centering anti-racism in its practice, policies, culture, pedagogy, governance and organizational structure.  Learn more about A.R.T. here. 

Learn more about ALJP Consulting here.  

After an inclusive search led by ALJP Consulting, Philadelphia Theatre Company has selected Jessica Ragusa as the theatre's new Director of Development. 

JESSICA RAGUSA has worked on media campaigns and research for cultural organizations such as the American Museum of Natural History, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and Folger Shakespeare Library and Theatre. She has also worked on lifestyle and legacy brands such as Soul Cycle, S’well Bottle, MassMutual and the Financial Times. A lifelong arts enthusiast, prior to her agency work, Jessica studied urban planning and infrastructure design at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London and Art History at the University of Pennsylvania. She has also held positions at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the New Museum of Contemporary Art, the Annenberg Center for Performing Arts (Penn Live Arts), and Brant Publications (Art in America & Interview magazines).

PHILADELPHIA THEATRE COMPANY is a leading regional theatre company that produces, develops, and presents entertaining and imaginative contemporary theatre focused on the American experience. PTC balances its Philadelphia roots with a national point of view that combines a taste for adventure with a dedication to new American plays and musicals. Founded in 1974, Philadelphia Theatre Company has presented 201 world and Philadelphia premieres. During the 2020-21 Season, Philadelphia Theatre Company commissioned its first show under Producing Artistic Director Paige Price’s leadership: a new musical from Max Vernon and Erin Courtney called The Tattooed Lady. Planned for its mainstage world premiere production in the fall of 2022, The Tattooed Lady,developed with and directed by director Ellie Heyman, will have a developmental reading in New York City in the fall of 2021. We seek to develop an audience of open-minded theatregoers across cultural, ethnic, and social lines by producing drama that is at once challenging, entertaining and imaginatively staged. You can learn more about Philadelphia Theatre Company here.

Learn more about ALJP Consulting here.  

After an inclusive search led by ALJP Consulting, Philadelphia Theatre Company has selected Nathan Schultz as the theatre's new Director of Development. 

NATHAN SCHULTZ is a fundraising professional with nearly twenty years of experience in nonprofits and a decade of experience in fundraising for Philadelphia’s arts institutions. After an early career in program management for social service-oriented nonprofits, Nathan has held development positions at Opera Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Museum of Art overseeing foundation, corporation, and individual giving programs during major campaigns. Nathan holds an MPA from Kent State University and in his personal life enjoys advocating for the role of public libraries as a driver for equity and positive community outcomes through his service as Board President of the Cheltenham Township Library System.

PHILADELPHIA THEATRE COMPANY is a leading regional theatre company that produces, develops, and presents entertaining and imaginative contemporary theatre focused on the American experience. PTC balances its Philadelphia roots with a national point of view that combines a taste for adventure with a dedication to new American plays and musicals. Founded in 1974, Philadelphia Theatre Company has presented 201 world and Philadelphia premieres. During the 2020-21 Season, Philadelphia Theatre Company commissioned its first show under Producing Artistic Director Paige Price’s leadership: a new musical from Max Vernon and Erin Courtney called The Tattooed Lady. Planned for its mainstage world premiere production in the fall of 2022, The Tattooed Lady,developed with and directed by director Ellie Heyman, will have a developmental reading in New York City in the fall of 2021. We seek to develop an audience of open-minded theatregoers across cultural, ethnic, and social lines by producing drama that is at once challenging, entertaining and imaginatively staged. You can learn more about Philadelphia Theatre Company here.

Learn more about ALJP Consulting here.  

After an inclusive search led by ALJP Consulting, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company has selected Marti Lyons as the theatre's new Artistic Director. 

Marti Lyons brings a wealth of artistic, administrative, and teaching experience that will help propel Remy Bumppo forward as we plan our return to in-person programming. Marti’s respected artistry combined with her warmth and passion for collaboration and commitment to multitudes of perspectives will be key for our continued growth. She has a deep respect for our history of ideas, language and ensemble process and will use that to deepen our connections to our present audience and engage with new ones. 

“I join Remy Bumppo in a transformative moment in the company, in the country and in the world. As we transform, we honor the work that has come before while striving to ever better ourselves…” – Marti Lyons

Remy Bumppo Theatre Company expands and enriches our community’s view of the world, and our own, by producing both the great plays of the past and the important plays of today. Since1996, the founders’ vision was to utilize the talents of Chicago’s top-notch professional theatre artists in meaningful plays that stimulated the minds of audience members. As an ensemble-driven theater company, we author a more humane culture as we listen to, and seek to understand, the voices, the ideas, and the stories of one another. Our critically and publicly respected reputation is built on our consistent, high-quality presentations of the works of seminal playwrights, staged intimately and with the focus on expressing complex ideas in a clear, entertaining and moving manner. You can learn more about Remy Bumppo Theatre Company here. 

Learn more about ALJP Consulting here.