Long Wharf Theatre Selects Sandy Stoddard as New Chair of the Board of Trustees

Long Wharf Theatre's Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Sandy Stoddard as chair, succeeding Charles Kingsley.

The Board unanimously voted to elect Stoddard at its June 25 meeting. Stoddard formally began his two-year term on July 1.

Stoddard is a realtor with H. Pearce Real Estate Company, a professional jazz piano player for 50 years, and an educator. He is a past board member of the Shoreline Arts Alliance and the Great Connecticut Jazz Festival. He joined Long Wharf Theatre's Board of Trustees in 2009. Sandy, and his wife Pam, live inGuilford and the Thimble Islands in the summer. They have three grown children and two grandchildren.

"I am thrilled to welcome Sandy as the board chair. Sandy's commitment to the arts in general and Long Wharf Theatre in particular is palpable to anyone that knows him. A world class jazz musician and a world class gentleman, Sandy is going to bring fresh energy and a sense of fun to this job," said Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein

"I am very excited to work with Sandy over the next two years. His commitment to our work and his contagious enthusiasm make him an amazing colleague, and I am looking forward to collaborating with him as we approach our 50th anniversary season," said Managing Director Joshua Borenstein.

With Long Wharf Theatre on the cusp of celebrating its 50th anniversary, one of Stoddard's goals is to help reinforce the theatre's preeminence role in the regional theatre movement. "Long Wharf Theatre is constantly evolving, and we are heading into our next period of transformation. The 50th anniversary is an excellent opportunity to talk about who we've been and who we are going to be," Stoddard said.

Stoddard also sees Long Wharf Theatre's continued community engagement initiatives - local partnership like the one with the New Haven Free Public Library - as intrinsic to the theatre's continued relevance and vitality. "I've been out in the community and I see how important Long Wharf Theatre is to people. We want to continue to foster that feeling and make a positive impact on life in the greater New Haven area," he said.

Stoddard succeeds Charles Kingsley, who served an eventful two-year term after two decades on the board. During his tenure the theatre embarked on a successful capital campaign to raise the funds for the renovation of the Claire Tow Stage in the C. Newton Schenck III Theatre. He also helped shepherd the theatre through the recruitment of the theatre's current managing director, Joshua Borenstein. Kingsley will remain on the board.

"Charlie Kingsley is going to be a tough act to follow. His knowledge, dignity, and love for this institution are unparalleled. We are grateful to him for his service to Long Wharf Theatre, and I look forward to sharing his counsel and friendship," Stoddard said.

"Charlie's tenure was distinguished by calm, intelligent gravitas that steered Long Wharf Theatre through the building renovation and a time of managerial transition. We are grateful for his leadership," Edelstein said.

"Charlie has been a great partner for Gordon and me. He led the board with quiet strength, thoughtfulness, and a true love of theatre. I am thankful to have worked with him during a critical period for Long Wharf," Borenstein said.

For more information about Long Wharf Theatre's 2013-14 season, visit www.longwharf.org or call 203-787-4282.