Matt Schicker Named Producing Artistic Director at Playhouse on the Green

Playhouse on the Green, a 228-seat theater located in the heart of downtown Bridgeport, has named Matt Schicker its new producing artistic director. Schicker will oversee all aspects of the Playhouse's operations, including producing a season of plays and musicals and a new summer theater day camp program for kids and teenagers.

Schicker comes to Playhouse on the Green following six years producing and directing Off-Off Broadway at The Gallery Players in Brooklyn, the venerable 41-year-old Equity showcase house where he also served as executive director and president of the board. From 2005-2008 Schicker also was membership director for National Alliance for Musical Theatre. He trained in music and theater at University of Michigan and Interlochen Arts Academy.

Prior to his posts at The Gallery Players and National Alliance for Musical Theatre, Schicker was marketing and press director at The Pearl Theatre Company (Off-Broadway). From 1999-2001 he worked in the public relations department of The Juilliard School. He serves on the board of the HAIR Tribes Foundation.

At The Gallery Players he produced the acclaimed 2007 production of Yank! A New Musical, which was called "one of the most heartening theatrical experiences in years" by The Brooklyn Papers, and revivals of Dedication or The Stuff of Dreams by Terrence McNally, Hair The Marriage of Bette and Boo by Christopher Durang, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2003 Off-Off Broadway Review Award for Best Musical), and several world premiere plays as part of the Black Box New Play Festival.

Directing highlights include the first New York City revivals of The Full Monty, Side Show and Victor/Victoria, as well as Yoga Kills and the original 1967 version of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Red Peppers, Fumed Oak and Family Album.

Phil Kuchma, chair of the Playhouse on the Green's board of directors, said, "We would like to thank board members Mark Graham and Scott Robbins, who were acting co-artistic directors and headed up the search for the producing artistic director. The Playhouse had over 75 applicants for the position. We feel Matt Schicker's blend of administrative and creative talent makes him the ideal candidate to help establish the Playhouse on the Green as an integral part of the efforts to continue to grow the entertainment attractions in Downtown Bridgeport."

A spring/summer series of performances produced by Schicker and a summer theater day camp for kids and teenagers called "Project Broadway" will be announced shortly.

Playhouse on the Green originated in 1954 as the Polka Dot Playhouse, located in Stratford's Redman's Hall. The theater had several homes before moving to Pleasure Beach in 1967. With support of People's Bank and the State of Connecticut, the Playhouse relocated in 1999 to a renovated bank building in the heart of downtown Bridgeport. Playhouse on the Green produces a season of plays, musicals, new play readings and children's productions September through April, and a summer kids' theater program.

For more information, visit PlayhouseOnTheGreen.org. 

Photo of Matt Schicker