MRT Appoints New Director Of Marketing And Communications, David Henderson

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) is pleased to announce that David Henderson, a veteran community engagement, marketing, and communications specialist for the non-profit field, will become the new Director of Marketing and Communications. In this role, which starts June 18, 2018, Henderson will oversee marketing, communications, and public relations for the theatre. He joins MRT's senior leadership team and will work closely with Executive Director Bonnie J. Butkas, who started in the fall, and Artistic Director Sean Daniels, beginning his fourth season at MRT.

"We are so excited to welcome David, as he brings a wealth of experience to this important leadership position," said Butkas. "He'll be a vital part of bringing in new audiences and strengthening connections with our existing patrons and partners across the region, as we begin our 40th Anniversary Season."

David Henderson served as Director of Marketing at Hartford Stage for the past five years. While there, he promoted Connecticut's largest theatre arts education program serving 21,000 students along with the critically acclaimed launches of Man in a Case with Mikhail Baryshnikov, the Tony Award-winning musical A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, and the current Broadway smash Anastasia at the Broadhurst Theatre. Previous work includes posts with Center Stage Baltimore; the LGBT Community Center in Manhattan; Common Cents/Penny Harvest, a youth education program in 800 New York City schools; and Second Stage Theatre, one of Off-Broadway's premier companies. While at Second Stage, Broadway credits included the Tony Award-winners Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by William Finn, Rachel Sheinkin, and Jay Reiss, as well as the Broadway revival of Craig Lucas' Reckless with Mary-Louise Parker. Off-Broadway credits included the New York premieres of August Wilson's Jitney, Stephen Sondheim's Saturday Night, Regina Taylor's Crowns, and Athol Fugard's Sorrows and Rejoicings.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) has been Merrimack Valley's professional theatre company since 1979 and is an integral part of Lowell's identity as the cultural heart of the region. MRT's mission is to share theatrical stories of human understanding that reflect and engage our community. A seven-show season runs from September through May in the intimate 279-seat Nancy L. Donahue Theatre. The company is known as a leader in producing new plays, especially world and regional premieres. MRT is one of 72 theatres nationwide (one of three in Massachusetts) with membership in LORT (the League of Resident Theatres).

Circle Health is the 2017-18 Season Sponsor. Merrimack Repertory Theatre is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.