Jeffry George Named Executive Director of The Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater

The Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater (WHAT) will have a new executive director, Jeffry George,  when the season comes alive on the Julie Harris Stage this summer.  The announcement was made today by Bruce A. Bierhans, President and CEO of the company.

George will, on his first day, put his key in a lock he more than likely picked out himself while overseeing the construction and opening of WHAT’s new facility on Route 6 with its beloved Julie Harris Stage.  As executive director, he will be responsible for management of the day-to-day affairs of the organization. He and President/CEO Bruce Bierhans will work together to guide WHAT in issues of policy and planning. He begins work the first week of May.

"From the moment I saw my first WHAT production, I recognized that it was in the same league as the finest regional theatres in the country,” said George.  “The founders and artisans who followed since 1985 have made this organization a destination for theatre lovers.  I am honored with the request to return.”

     "I could not be happier to have Jeffry George back at WHAT!  Jeffry was an extraordinary managing director here WHILE overseeing the construction of the new WHAT building, with its glorious Julie Harris Stage,” said WHAT Artistic Director, Dan Lombardo. “He somehow did two full-time jobs with enormous skill, intelligence, grace, and humor. Jeffry's heart is in this theater, and this will truly be a homecoming."

     After serving stints at theaters on the East Coast from Florida to Massachusetts, George forged west and became managing director at Theater Aspen in Aspen, Colo.  He currently serves as executive director of Cantata Singers in Boston where he oversees all administrative, development and production for a 44-member semi-professional choral organization that presents a four-concert season at various venues in Boston and Cambridge.  He is also on the national tour of the Broadway production of  “High” by Matthew Lombardo starring Kathleen Turner. 

      George attended Interlochen Center for the Arts, 1971-1973 and graduated from Ithaca College where he earned a B.M.E. in 1978.  He attended Harvard University’s Excellence in Non-Profit Leadership Program in 2007. 

         Since 1976, he has been a member of Actors Equity Association and received his SAG card in 1981. George is married to Hunter O' Hanian, and maintains residences in Provincetown, Boston and Ft. Lauderdale.  The two were the original creators and owners of "Utilities", a kitchen and home goods store in Provincetown.  While operating Utilities, George served on the Provincetown Cultural Council and the board of the Provincetown Theater Company.      

         “Jeffry has a great history with our organization, and I'm thrilled to be able to bring him back,” said Bierhans.  “With Jeffry on board with Dan Lombardo, Stephen Russell, Ted Vitale, a Kevin Rice production this summer, and our fantastic WHAT staff and board members, the WHAT legacy and tradition is certain to continue.”

         George’s leadership and experience comes at a timely juncture as WHAT produces its entire summer theater season of four plays and one musical on the Julie Harris Stage.

A community asset since 1985, Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater is one of the region’s finest professional Actors Equity Association theatres.  In its new home, WHAT has expanded its year-round programming with live simulcasts of the Metropolitan Opera and the Bolshoi Ballet as well as independent cinema and live musical productions including collaborations with the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra.

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