James McNeel Named New Managing Director of City Theatre

By: Oct. 30, 2014
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The Board of Directors of City Theatre is pleased to announce the appointment of James McNeel as the organization's next managing director starting January 5, succeeding Mark R. Power who has served in the role for the past four years with the South Side-based non-profit theatre company, the largest theatrical producer located beyond Downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District and the region's home for the development and production of new plays.

A native West Virginian, Mr. McNeel served for four years as managing director of the Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, where he most recently spearheaded CATF's first-ever production transfer to Off Broadway. He also spent four years as a literature specialist at the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and has served as director of development and marketing at Cherry Lane Theatre, New York's longest continuously-operating Off-Broadway theater.

"James is the right person at the right time for City Theatre, and I welcome him as my next producing partner," said Tracy Brigden, now in her 14th season as artistic director. "He is a dynamic leader who brings great experience and commitment to the art of producing new plays. His passion for the theatre and his extensive knowledge of all areas of the business will serve City Theatre well as we enter this next era."

"I am honored to join City Theatre at this very exciting time. It is a privilege to make theater for a living and I thank the board for inviting me to join their team and help launch the theatre's next 40-year chapter," stated McNeel. "The development and production of new plays resides at my core; I believe they serve as the lifeblood for a vibrant and relevant theatre art form, and I have spent my career committed to contemporary storytellers - the truth-seekers and risk-takers of our collective cultural conversation. I cannot wait to work with Tracy, one of the field's leading crusaders on this front, and City Theatre's terrific staff, to build on the organization's tradition as a national center for new work and one of Pittsburgh's most important creative beacons for audiences and artists alike."

David E. Massaro, president of City Theatre's board of directors empaneled a five-member search committee in August chaired by past-president Clyde Jones and comprised of current board members. "The committee screened several candidates and determined that James fits the needs of the organization and is poised to join Tracy in effectively leading the organization and its current capital campaign. We are thrilled that James will be coming to City Theatre and we look forward to working with him and welcoming him to Pittsburgh."

Power plans to resume his management and marketing consulting practice, remaining in the Pittsburgh area.

City Theatre is now in its 40th anniversary season. Located on Pittsburgh's historic South Side since 1991, City Theatre specializes in new plays, commissioning and producing work by playwrights including Daniel Beaty, Jessica Dickey, Christopher Durang, Michael Hollinger, Willy Holtzman, Tarell McCraney, and Theresa Rebeck. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Tracy Brigden, Managing Director Mark R. Power, and a 45-member Board of Directors, City Theatre's mission is to provide an artistic home for the development and production of contemporary plays of substance and ideas that engage and challenge a diverse audience. CityTheatreCompany.org



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