Theatre at the Center Names New Marketing Director

Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana, one of Chicagoland's leading regional theatres, is thrilled to announce today the appointment of Philip Potempa, former Features Writer and Entertainment Columnist at the NORTHWEST INDIANA TIMES and beloved, well-known member of the theater community as Marketing Director.

"We are elated to bring Philip Potempa on board as our new Marketing Director," said Richard Friedman, General Manager. "He has been a patron and champion of our theatre for so long, he already is part of the family. Philip brings to Theatre at the Center his great passion for theatre which he has honed as a critic, feature writer and a stalwart of the Joseph Jefferson Awards committee. His mission is to help bring even more people to our theatre, now as an official member of the team, using his infectious love of theatre and extensive network of friends and supporters throughout Northwest Indiana and greater Chicagoland."

Philip Potempa began covering theater in Indiana, Michigan and Illinois for The South Bend Tribune in 1992, before joining The Times of Northwest Indiana and Illinois in 1995 and worked as a features writer and daily entertainment newspaper columnist for more than two decades. He is the author of three published books chronicling stories, interviews, recipes and memories from his personal and professional experiences. Released in May 2010, his third book, "Further From the Farm" (Pediment Press) continued the chronicle of his journalism journey and features favorite celebrated stories from his interviews, including Mary Tyler Moore, Lily Tomlin, Julia Child, Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Dolly Parton, Betty White, Karl Malden, Phil Donahue and Bea Arthur. He also is an adjunct instructor in communication at both Valparaiso University and Purdue University North Central. When not lecturing in a classroom or in a theater seat, Philip divides his time between his family's farm in Northwest Indiana and his home in Chicago.

Founded in 1991, Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is conveniently located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago. For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit TheatreAtTheCenter.com.