Cincinnati Playhouse's Edward Stern To Leave Post At End Of Season

Edward Stern, Producing Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park since 1992, announced today that he will leave The Playhouse at the end of the 2011-2012 season, which will also be his 20th season.

"I am making this announcement now so that The Playhouse Board of Directors has plenty of time to create a search committee, review a broad range of applicants and choose the best candidate to move The Playhouse forward," Mr. Stern explained.

"This is a sad day for the Cincinnati Playhouse," said Victoria Buyniski Gluckman, President of The Playhouse's Board of Trustees. "It will be an immense challenge to find a new producing artistic director with the vision, dedication and love for The Playhouse that Ed has demonstrated every day for the past 18 years. While we will be extremely sorry to see him go, we understand that after 20 years, Ed will be eager to focus on the things he loves - directing and teaching. We will wish him all the best."

Mr. Stern's departure will not signal the end of his career. "I don't ever see myself retiring," Mr. Stern said. "I look forward to directing regional theatre and university projects, and not to be in charge of day-to-day operations anymore. I'm ready to leave that to someone younger - but not wiser!"

"Ed has been a terrific partner for the past 18 years, understanding the equal importance of high quality art on our stages, fiscal responsibility in our operations and the quality of the audience's entire experience with The Playhouse," said Buzz Ward, The Playhouse's Executive Director. "I look forward to working with him for the next two years and to working with the Board of Trustees to find a worthy successor. I am sure that the theatres at which he will direct and the academic institutions at which he will teach will count themselves as lucky as The Playhouse has been."

Since his arrival in 1992, Mr. Stern has overseen the development of partnerships with The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and other regional theatres, which have bolstered both artistic excellence and the financial health of The Playhouse. Mr. Stern and Mr. Ward, who arrived at The Playhouse the same year to face a $1.25 million accumulated deficit challenge, have produced 18 consecutive seasons with an operating surplus and have increased The Playhouse endowment from $1 million to $5 million. They also spearheaded an $8.2 million capital campaign which renovated The Playhouse in 1997.

In addition, Mr. Stern has developed new programs that have heightened The Playhouse's focus on the Greater Cincinnati community. Mr. Stern inaugurated the League of Cincinnati Theatres, which serves to strengthen, nurture and promote Cincinnati's theatre community. Under his tenure, The Playhouse's education enrichment programs have increased significantly. Mr. Stern initiated the popular Off The Hill Series and greatly expanded the School Outreach Tours, which bring Playhouse productions to every corner of the Tri-State, and increased the scope of the summer camp and acting class programs.

For Mr. Stern, milestones of his Playhouse career - so far - include winning two Tony Awards. The first, in 2004, was for Best Regional Theatre; the second, in 2007, was for Best Revival of a Musical, for Company.

"It has been an enduring pleasure to work with such a committed board of trustees and such a remarkable staff," Mr. Stern emphasized. "It has also been a joy to work with such a stellar array of performers - actors, directors and designers. After nearly two decades here, it's still a thrill.

"The high point for me is coming to work every day," Mr. Stern continued. "I feel such a loyalty to The Playhouse that I want the transition to be as smooth as possible, and this will allow me to work through the transition with my eventual successor."

Edward Stern's term as Producing Artistic Director at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is the longest in the history of the Mount Adams theatre. His directing credits at The Playhouse include Othello; A Little Night Music; Wit; Of Mice and Men; Twelfth Night; Victoria Musica; One; Ah, Wilderness!; Inherit the Wind; The Little Foxes; Sweeney Todd; Someone Who'll Watch Over Me; Scotland Road; Gross Indecency and The Fantasticks, among others.

"The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park has been an outstanding part of the Greater Cincinnati community for 51 years," Mr. Stern stressed. "I have been honored to be a part of that incredible theatrical tradition and feel confident that I am leaving it with a bright and promising future."

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