Trish Santini Named Managing Director at The Old Globe

The Board of Directors of The Old Globe has appointed Trish Santini as Audrey S. Geisel Managing Director. Santini will work together with Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein to lead San Diego’s flagship arts institution. As co-CEOs of the institution, Santini and Edelstein will report jointly to the Board of Directors. Santini will assume her Managing Director duties at The Old Globe on July 1, 2026.

Trish Santini is a Co-Founder of Empire Training Center for the Arts (ETCA), a nonprofit workforce development initiative that trains technical and administrative performing arts professionals for careers that do not require a college degree. From 2016 to 2023, Santini served as the inaugural Executive Director of Little Island in New York City, where she led the launch of the $250 million public park and performance venue. Prior to that, she served for nine years as External Relations Director at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, overseeing marketing and communications, visitor services, education, retail, and events, and later serving as Senior Producer for several productions and fundraising galas. Her previous experience includes leadership roles at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, and with TMG–The Marketing Group and Dodger Theatricals in NYC, as well as several projects as an independent producer.

"The opportunity to partner with Barry Edelstein, someone I have long admired as an artist and arts leader, is incredibly exciting and inspiring and it was clear throughout the process that our values and ambitions are well-aligned. From our shared commitment to creating a culture of joy and belonging so that artists and staff can do their best work to recognizing the necessity to train a new generation of theater professionals to our pursuit of providing access to theatre in as many spaces and communities as possible—all of this truly illuminated to me that we are kindred spirits and I can’t wait to get started,” stated Trish Santini.

Santini noted, “I am deeply appreciative of the support and confidence I have already experienced with Barry, the Globe’s wonderful Board Chair, Christian Buckley and the Search Committee and I very much look forward to the work ahead in collaboration with The Globe’s exceptional staff and Board of Directors, as well as the greater San Diego community. As someone who has relished witnessing the transformational power of live theatre coexisting with natural beauty, it feels like kismet to join The Old Globe in their home in Balboa Park where there are boundless opportunities to invite audiences and visitors to experience the dynamic and distinctive performances and programs the Globe produces each and every season. I look forward to getting to know America’s Finest City and becoming an authentic ambassador and advocate for both the Globe and the community it serves."

The Old Globe’s Search Committee worked closely with Jonathan West of Management Consultants for the Arts on the national search for a Managing Director. Chaired by Old Globe Board Chair Christian Buckley, members of the committee include Old Globe Board Members, George Davis, George Guerra, Nishma Held, Karin Winner, Paula Powers, Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and Old Globe staff members Alex Orbovich, Sandy Parde, and Adena Varner also served on the committee.

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