South Shore Theater Company Names New Executive Director & Artistic Director

THE BAY COLONY SHAKESPEARE COMPANY, the fastest-growing professional theatre company on the South Shore of Boston, today announced the appointment of Eric Joseph, 56, to the position of President and Executive Director. Mr. Joseph joins the BCSC after returning from New York City as the Senior Vice President of Sponsorship and Marketing for Clear Channel Entertainment and Broadway Across America, where he was responsible for securing and overseeing sponsorship and marketing extensions of Clear Channel's Broadway investments and subsequent tours in over 50 markets. Mr. Joseph, a Marshfield resident raised in Cohasset, MA, will assume responsibility for the funding and administration of the BCSC immediately and takes the reins from retiring Founder and Artistic Director, Neil McGarry, who is departing the area with his family. Mr. McGarry will return to perform his one-man version of "A Christmas Carol" over the 2016 holidays and continue to work as an actor with the BCSC when in the area.

In addition, BCSC has announced the appointment of Ross MacDonald, 42, to Artistic Director. Mr. MacDonald, who has been onstage in the UK since his early teens, moved to Boston after his 2007 deployment in Afghanistan as part of The British Army's London (Scottish) Regiment. He has since become a well-known Actor and Director in the Boston theatre community and worked with the BCSC in the past as a Board member, Performer and Associate Artistic Director. During that time, he played an important role in the redevelopment of all BCSC endeavors. In addition to well-received main stage productions, Mr. MacDonald and Mr. McGarry also implemented a strategic education plan, raising both the local and regional profile of BCSC within the Massachusetts public and private school systems. With this appointment, Mr. MacDonald will now oversee the company's overall creative vision and coordinate an orchestrated approach encompassing Educational programs in schools, Main Stage productions and Actor development.

The BCSC plans both a Fall schools tour and main stage productions of 'Macbeth' and 'Twelfth Night', performed by their culturally diverse troupe of professional, classically trained actors. During the holidays, Mr. McGarry's 'A Christmas Carol' will be presented.

"I'm thrilled that the legacy of BCSC will continue on under the extremely capable stewardship of Ross and Eric," said departing Artistic Director Neil McGarry. "Ross was instrumental to the company's growth during a critical period. He had an extraordinarily positive impact on the company. Likewise, Eric has plans to completely revamp and upgrade the company's marketing materials, funding and infrastructure. Both will prove to be invaluable to BCSC's future as it continues to expand theatrical horizons across the Bay State."

About The Bay Colony Shakespeare Company

Founded in 2013, the 501c3 organization's mission is to produce dynamic, engaging, and inspirational productions for people of all ages, backgrounds and communities.