Elisabeth H. Saxe Named Director of Institutional Advancement At Westport Country Playhouse

Elisabeth H. Saxe of Fairfield has been appointed Director of Institutional Advancement at Westport Country Playhouse, in Westport, Connecticut, effective December 7. She returns to the historic theater after serving as its Development Director from 2001 to 2005, during which time she orchestrated a highly successful $30.6 million campaign to renovate the facility and enrich artistic and education programs. The comprehensive fundraising initiative was the first in The Playhouse's history since its founding in 1931.

In her new position, Ms. Saxe will oversee The Playhouse's fundraising efforts and be deeply involved in helping to forge a new strategic plan. She joins Mark Lamos, Artistic Director, and Michael Ross, Managing Director, as part of The Playhouse's new management team.

"Mark and I are thrilled to work with someone of Lis' caliber," said Ross. "She is a powerhouse fundraiser and a highly accomplished non-profit professional. She brings with her a wealth of institutional knowledge and a breadth of leadership and planning skills."

Sandra DeFeo, President of The Playhouse Board of Trustees, said, "Playhouse success is based on enduring relationships which is why we are thrilled to welcome back Lis Saxe who played such a vital role in the campaign to renovate our building. Her experience and passion will strengthen our team and I very much look forward to working with her."
Ms. Saxe stated, "It is a great honor to be asked to return at this pivotal time and to join this outstanding leadership team. As part of this exciting new phase, my goal is to help The Playhouse set a course for the future and to build meaningful connections with those who can provide philanthropic support. We will work to ensure that The Playhouse thrives so that the power of exceptional, live theater can be experienced by audiences of all ages and the next generation of theater professionals can benefit from a legendary intern program."

Ms. Saxe has a diverse fundraising background, with an area of specialization in the cultural sector. Her most recent cultural arts affiliation was at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah, New York from 2005-2009. Serving as their Director of Development, she was a catalyst for strategic planning and philanthropic growth as the organization expanded its music programming. She was responsible for raising funds for operations, programs and special projects and endowment for the internationally-acclaimed cultural institution.

At Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, Ms. Saxe was an integral member of the visionary team responsible for founding the 20,000 square-foot, world-class educational resource which opened in March 2000. She participated in funding strategies to raise $11 million for construction and creation of the new institution. She served as their Associate Director of Development from 1996 to 2000 and transitioned once the museum opened to Director of Development in 2000.

She began her career in development in the early 1980s as the Director of Special Events and Membership at the highly-acclaimed School of American Ballet (SAB,) official school of the New York City Ballet (NYCB) at Lincoln Center, having first been a development and press intern for SAB and NYCB while attending Skidmore College.
Ms. Saxe has been a presenter at professional conferences, non-profit organizations and for educational institutions on topics such as "Fundamentals of Major Gift Fund Raising" and "Capital Campaigns from the Ground Up," and serves as a mentor to young development professionals new to the field.

About The Playhouse

Westport Country Playhouse, a not-for-profit theater, serves as a treasured home for the performing arts and is a cultural landmark for Connecticut. Under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos and management direction of Michael Ross, The Playhouse creates quality productions of new and classic plays that enlighten, enrich and engage a diverse community of theater lovers, artists and students. The Playhouse's rich history dates back to 1931, when New York theatre producer Lawrence Langner created a Broadway-quality stage within an 1830s tannery. The Playhouse quickly became an established stop on the New England "straw hat circuit" of summer stock theatres. Entering into its 80th anniversary season, Westport Country Playhouse has produced more than 700 plays, 36 of which later transferred to Broadway, most recently the world premiere of "Thurgood" and a revival of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" with Paul Newman, and in earlier years "Come Back, Little Sheba" with Shirley Booth, "The Trip to Bountiful" with Lillian Gish, and "Butterflies Are Free" with Keir Dullea and Blythe Danner. For its artistic excellence, The Playhouse received a 2005 Governor's Arts Award and a 2000 "Connecticut Treasure" recognition. It was also designated as an Official Project of Save America's Treasures by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is entered on the Connecticut State Register of Historic Places. Following a multi-million dollar renovation completed in 2005, The Playhouse transformed into a year-round, state-of-the-art producing theater, which has preserved its original charm and character. In addition to a full season of theatrical productions, The Playhouse serves as a community resource, presenting educational programming and workshops; a children's theater series; symposiums; music; films; and readings.

Westport Country Playhouse, (203) 227-4177, toll-free 1-888-927-7529, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport, www.westportplayhouse.org.

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