Adam Bernstein Named The New Group's Executive Director

Scott Elliott, Founding Artistic Director of The New Group and Serge Nivelle, Chairman of its Board of Directors, have announced that Adam Bernstein has been named Executive Director of the company.

Adam Bernstein, who takes the post February 24, 2014, succeeds Geoff Rich (Executive Director, 2002-2013). After twelve years as Executive Director of The New Group, Geoff Rich has resigned in order to turn his full efforts to his radio production business. He continues as a member of the Board of Directors of The New Group and will be honored at the company's 2014 Gala on March 10 with the Michael Mendelson Award for Outstanding Commitment to Theater.

Adam Bernstein joins The New Group after eleven years with New York City's Signature Theatre, where he was promoted twice before becoming its General Manager in 2006. He played an integral role in Signature's transition to The Pershing Square Signature Center, its Frank Gehry-designed home on 42nd Street and its growth from a $3 million producing theater to a $12 million institution. Leading up to the opening of the Center in 2012, he helped to lead Signature's efforts to plan and manage its $70 million capital budget including securing over $10 million in project financing. With Signature, Bernstein managed over thirty Off-Broadway productions and produced the theater's first international tour to China's inaugural Wuzhen Theatre Festival. His general management highlights with Signature include the New York premiere of Charles Mee's Iphigenia 2.0; the world premieres of Horton Foote's The Orphan's Home Cycle, Katori Hall's Hurt Village, Sam Shepard's Heartless, Old Hats created and performed by Bill Irwin and David Shiner, David Henry Hwang's Kung Fu; and the revivals of Tony Kushner's Angels in America, Edward Albee's The Lady from Dubuque, Athol Fugard's My Children! My Africa!, and August Wilson's The Piano Lesson and How I Learned What I Learned. Before Signature, Bernstein was General Manager for the Blue Heron Arts Center and was the Founding Artistic Director of Confluence Theatre Company. He hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Point Park University. Bernstein serves on the Board of the League of Off-Broadway Theaters and Producers and is a regular guest speaker for Pace University's Arts and Entertainment Management Program. He resides in Montclair, New Jersey with his wife Jennifer and his two children, Naomi and David.

Scott Elliott, Founding Artistic Director, remarks, "We have found in Adam the perfect Executive Director to meet the challenge of taking The New Group into the next exciting phase of our development. He is a true man of the theater. He is a visionary. I am so thrilled that he is joining us."

Serge Nivelle, Chairman of the Board of Directors adds, "On behalf of the Board it is my distinct pleasure to welcome Adam Bernstein to The New Group family. We are certain that our newfound collaboration will be rewarding for both Adam and for The New Group."

Adam Bernstein shares, "I am honored and thrilled to have been selected as the next Executive Director of The New Group, which is such a vital force in contemporary American theater. I am energized by the opportunity to partner with Scott, the Board, and the staff to build upon the organization's past achievements and lead The New Group in its next phase of artistic and operational growth."

The New Group is currently represented Off-Broadway by the world premiere of Thomas Bradshaw's Intimacy, directed by Scott Elliott. The company launched its 2013-2014 season with the New York premiere of Beth Henley's The Jacksonian, directed by Robert Falls and featuring Ed Harris, Glenne Headly, Amy Madigan, Bill Pullman and Juliet Brett (extended run played through December 22, 2013). Last season, The New Group presented the world premieres of Francine Volpe's The Good Mother directed by Scott Elliott; Jonathan Marc Sherman's Clive, directed by and featuring Ethan Hawke; and the new musical Bunty Berman Presents..., with book & lyrics by Ayub Khan Din and music by Ayub Khan Din & Paul Bogaev. In its 2011-2012 season, the company presented Thomas Bradshaw's Burning, the extended run of Erika Sheffer's Russian Transport (both directed by Scott Elliott) and David Rabe's An Early History of Fire directed by Jo Bonney. Other recent productions include Tommy Nohilly's Blood From A Stone featuring Ethan Hawke (Obie winner); the revival of Wallace Shawn's Marie and Bruce starring Marisa Tomei and Frank Whaley; One Arm by Tennessee Williams, adapted and directed by Moisés Kaufman; A Lie of the Mind; The Kid; Groundswell; The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie; Hurlyburly; Mike Leigh's Two Thousand Years, Abigail's Party, Smelling a Rat, Goose-Pimples and Ecstasy; Wallace Shawn's The Fever and Aunt Dan and Lemon; Kenneth Lonergan's The Starry Messenger featuring Matthew Broderick and This is Our Youth; Kevin Elyot's Mouth to Mouth and My Night With Reg; and Ayub Khan Din's East is East and Rafta, Rafta.... The New Group is a recipient of the 2004 Tony Award for Best Musical (Avenue Q). The New Group and Artistic Director Scott Elliott were honored with a Special 2010-11 Drama Desk Award "for presenting contemporary new voices, and for uncompromisingly raw and powerful productions."

In Spring 2014, The New Group presents the New York premiere of Sharr White's Annapurna, directed by Bart DeLorenzo, starring Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman. Previews begin April 13.

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