Ellen Richard to leave Roundabout Theatre Company in June, 2005.

Todd Haimes, Artistic Director of the Roundabout Theatre Company, has announced that Ellen Richard, Roundabout's Managing Director, has chosen to leave the company in June 2005 after 21 years with the organization.

A search for a new Managing Director is currently underway.

Ms. Richard began at Roundabout, along with Mr. Haimes, in September of 1983, when the company was operating with a $1.5 million budget and a deficit of $2.5 million. Currently, Roundabout has an operating budget in excess of $30 million, with assets that consist of a permanent endowment and ownership of two Broadway Theatres, The American Airlines Theatre and Studio 54, and the newly renovated off-Broadway venue, The Laura Pels Theatre.

In announcing her departure, Ms. Richard said, "I have spent more than two decades working in the New York theatre in a dozen venues on more than a hundred first-rate productions on and off-Broadway. I have worked with some of the greatest theatrical talent in the world. I can't imagine not working with Todd, who has been an inspiration to me and is an extraordinary force in the American theatre. However, at this time in my life, I feel a sense of personal completion, now that Roundabout is truly established in the Theatre District, and I look forward to exciting new challenges in the future. I'm also looking forward to our upcoming season, knowing I will end my tenure on a high note! I will miss very much my colleagues at the Roundabout and in the League of Resident Theatres, all of whom I value for their support, hard work, and friendship."

Todd Haimes, praising Ms. Richard's contribution to Roundabout and the success of their partnership of over two decades, said, "The Roundabout would not be where it is today without Ellen's remarkable leadership. It is hard to imagine the Roundabout without Ellen. However, I know she feels it is time for her to make a change for herself, and I know that she will be incredibly successful in whatever she chooses to do next."

As Director of Theatre Design and Construction for Roundabout, Ms. Richard was charged with the responsibility of creating the Union Square Theatre (formerly the Christian C. Yegan Theatre); the Laura Pels Theatre at the Criterion Center; the Henry Miller Theatre (Kit Kat Club); The American Airlines Theatre on 42nd Street; Studio 54; and the new Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. Ms. Richard is currently finishing a new "black box" Theatre at the Steinberg, which will open in the spring of 2005.

While with Roundabout, Ms. Richard has overseen production, finance, legal, marketing, ticket services, labor relations, property management and all other administrative departments. Ms Richard has served a number of terms on the Executive Committee of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT). Since the late 80's, Ms. Richard has also been on every LORT negotiating committee with Actors' Equity Association (AEA), the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SSDC), and the United Scenic Artists (USA). As Roundabout's lead negotiator, she has led the Roundabout bargaining team with all of the Locals of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), American Federation of Musicians (AFM), and United Scenic Artists (USA).

With a subscribers in excess of 40,000, one of the largest subscriptions of any not-for-profit theatre in the country, Ms. Richard pioneered innovative subscriptions series, including singles nights, wine tasting, the dramaturgical lecture series, gay and lesbian nights, the family series, and an early-to-bed series. She also created the Gallery at Roundabout, a showcase venue for visual artists.

As Managing Director, Ms. Richard has received five Tony Awards for shows produced by Roundabout.

Prior to the Roundabout, Ms. Richard worked at the Hartman Theatre, the Stamford Center for the Arts, the Westport Country Playhouse, the Opera Company of Boston, and Atlas Scenic Studios.

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