Matt O'Brien is New Executive Director of Metropolis PAC

After four months and a nation-wide search, but Metropolis Performing Arts Centre has found its new Executive Director and Producer.  Matt O'Brien of Libertyville, Illinois has officially accepted the reins of Metropolis and its School of the Performing Arts.

O'Brien, who founded the Irish Repertory Theatre of Chicago and headed that organization for seven years, will be joining Metropolis on December 1.  O'Brien is also the founder and producer of GreatWorks Theatre, a company that produces educational entertainment for schools K-9; was the artistic programmer for the Beaver Creek Theatre Festival at the Vilar Center in Beaver Creek, Colorado; and was the creator and artistic director for the Buckets O' Beckett Festival held at Chicago's Mercury Theater.  A graduate of Columbia College of Chicago with a BA in Communications, he also attended the Goodman/DePaul School of Drama – now known as The Theatre School at DePaul University.

As Executive Director/Producer, O'Brien will oversee the day-to-day operations of the $2.5 million organization – which includes its School of the Performing Arts – as well as help to guide MPAC's artistic/programming future.

O'Brien will be joining Metropolis mid-way through what could be another record-breaking year.  During the 2006-07 Season MPAC saw over 75,000 patrons passing through its doors.