Leadership Change Announced at Atlanta Lyric Theater

Atlanta Lyric Theatre, the metro area's only musical theatre company, announces that long-time Managing Artistic Director Brandt Blocker will be leaving the 36-year-old company. Current Director of Education and Development Mary Nye Bennett will serve as artistic director.

Blocker, who has been with the company since May 2007, is moving to Hong Kong in January with his wife, Christine, who has been transferred to China's special administrative region by her employer Ernst & Young. His resignation was formerly announced to The Lyric board in September.

"It has been an absolute privilege to serve as managing artistic director of Atlanta Lyric Theatre," said Blocker. "The work and growth of The Lyric is vital to the artistic scene of metro Atlanta, and I look forward to seeing the company expand to even greater heights. While I will miss working with the extraordinarily talented artists here in Atlanta, I look forward to this new and exciting opportunity for my family."

During Blocker's tenure, The Lyric saw its greatest period of growth artistically and financially. His first Lyric production, "Little Shop of Horrors" at the company's former Byers Studio Theatre in Midtown, was the first Lyric production to be recognized by the Suzi Bass Awards (Atlanta's version of the Tony Awards). The Atlanta Journal-Constitution took notice writing, "The Lyric has flown largely under the radar screen in recent years. But under Artistic Director Brandt Blocker, who directed 'Little Shop,' it seems to be on the move." Blocker's inaugural season also produced a high-flying production of "Peter Pan" at Georgia Tech's Ferst Center for the Arts, of which Atlanta INtown Paper noted, "What a treat it is when everything goes right. The Atlanta Lyric Theatre's production of 'Peter Pan,' with stage and music direction by The Lyric's new Managing Artistic Director Brandt Blocker, is a sparkling jewel of a show-equally appealing to the very young and the young at heart." Among the many awards and critical acclaim, The Lyric's 2010 production of "Hairspray," directed by Blocker, won the Suzi Award for Outstanding Musical Production. To accompany the new-found artistic success, in 2008 Blocker and The Lyric negotiated a 5-year agreement to house the company's productions at the newly renovated Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square. This alliance allowed The Lyric to expand its business model by producing five to six shows with twelve performances each per season all under one roof. In Blocker's five consecutive seasons at The Strand, The Lyric increased its subscriber base over 700%. Currently, The Lyric performs its season of musicals at the 600-seat Jennie T. Anderson Theatre in Marietta, cabarets and small musicals at the 100-seat Lyric Studio Theatre on the Marietta Square (formerly the Alley Stage of Theatre in the Square), and one-off productions at the 2,700-seat Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Blocker has extended agreements with the American Federation of Musicians (the Musician's Union) and negotiated The Lyric's membership into the 74-member League of Resident Theatres, the largest professional theater association of its kind in the US, which collectively issues more Actors' Equity Association contracts to actors than Broadway and commercial tours combined.

Since 2007, The Lyric's annual budget has grown from $600,000 to $1.4 million.
In 2013, Atlanta INtown Paper cited The Lyric as "the best professional musical theatre in Atlanta." And, just this year, WGCL CBS46 named The Lyric as "one of the best theatres in Atlanta."

"Atlanta Lyric Theatre is viewed as one of the metropolitan area's leading arts organizations, due in large part to Brandt's guidance, " said Lyric Board Chair David Persson. "We are grateful for his years of exemplary service to The Lyric."

Bennett, who has been on staff with The Lyric since 2014, and an actress with the company for many years, will serve as artistic director for the company.

"I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work with Brandt as an actress, a director, and an administrator," said Bennett. "We hope to expand upon the growth and excellence we've achieved under his leadership."

Atlanta Lyric Theatre is celebrating its 37th season as the Atlanta area's only local
professional musical theatre company! The Lyric is dedicated to producing the best in
musical theatre and fostering the growth of the Atlanta theatrical community. Through
educational programs and the pursuit of artistic excellence, The Lyric seeks to inspire and expand the audience for musical theatre. Atlanta Lyric Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization. For more information, to become a sponsor, or to join their family of
subscribers, visit their website: www.AtlantaLyric.com.

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