Twenty-five-year Theatre Veteran Named Managing Director Of Gulfshore Playhouse

Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples' premier professional regional theatre, has announced Joel Markus as its new Managing Director.

Originally from Miami, Markus' 25-year career has taken him to some of our nation's leading professional regional theatres. Most recently, Markus served as the production manager at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, America's oldest theatre, with an annual operating budget of $16 million. Markus has played integral roles in the production of hundreds of plays over ten seasons at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, four years at Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, NY, five seasons at the Weston Playhouse in Vermont, American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin, and North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts.

"We are excited about Joel's experience, wisdom, and dedication to the arts" said Kristen Coury, Gulfshore Playhouse's Founder and Producing Artistic Director. "He is joining us at a pivotal point in our history as we embark on a new Theatre and Education Center that will leave a lasting cultural legacy for generations to come. I'm looking forward to our work together."

At Walnut Street Theatre, Markus produced Broadway scale musicals, including "Annie," "Grease," "Mamma Mia," "Memphis," and many more. Markus frequently brokered co-productions between regional theatres that were states apart, making efficient use of resources to enrich the cultural landscape and exchange for both communities. Markus was awarded with a Creative Renewal Fellowship by the Arts Council of Indianapolis and Eli Lilly to study the production values of Cirque du Soleil. Over many years, Markus has had a front-row seat to the complex work of extraordinary professional theatres around the nation.

"I'm honored to join Gulfshore Playhouse, a truly dynamic and inspiring theatre that has grown exponentially in just 14 years," said Markus. "I'm passionate about investing the lessons I've learned throughout my career - in both the business and artistic side of theatre - to an already thriving organization. I'm looking forward to strengthening and enhancing the theatre's long-term strategic planning and operational efforts as it transitions into its new home."

Markus' primary responsibilities as managing director include overseeing day-to-day business affairs; working cooperatively with the executive team to ensure Gulfshore Playhouse is financially and operationally strengthened through efficient use of theatre resources; overseeing the staff, representatives, consultants, and other project managers as well as human resources; setting and meeting the organization's financial and operational goals; and guiding the implementation of Gulfshore Playhouse's strategic plans to ensure a sustainable, long-standing, and fiscally responsible future.

Gulfshore Playhouse is committed to enriching and strengthening the cultural fabric of our region by creating and producing professional theatre of a national standard that celebrates the diversity of our audiences, draws people together to discover a new understanding of oneself, and gives back in a spirit of outreach and service.

This focus is also at the core of its newest endeavor - the creation of a cultural landmark facility in downtown Naples. Plans are currently underway for Gulfshore Playhouse's new Theatre and Education Center at Goodlette-Frank Road and First Avenue South on the northern end of The Shoppes at Naples Square that will include two theaters and an education wing to support programming for children, adults and families.

For more information about Gulfshore Playhouse, visit www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org or call 239-261-PLAY (7529).