Professional Theatre Awards Council Announces New Board Officers

The Professional Theatre Awards Council (PTAC), presenter of the annual Kevin Kline Awards ceremony, announced its Executive Board Officers for 2008-09.

Each member will serve in the Board position for one year.  Steve Isom, PTAC founder is the Executive Director of the Board.  The new officers include:

Peter Sargent, Board President: Sargent, currently Dean of the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts at Webster University, has also been the Resident Lighting Designer of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis since its founding. In 2003, Sargent was the recipient of two prestigious awards including the U.S. Institute of Theatre Technology's Citation for Excellence in Education, and the Arts and Education Council Excellence in the Arts Award. He has served as member, panelist and founder of numerous theatrical boards and councils through the years, including the National Endowment of the Arts Theatre/Music Theatre panel; National Board of Directors of Young Audiences; Founder, Unified Theatre Auditions for High School Seniors; Auditions Coordinator, International Thespian Festival; Founder, MidWest Theatre Auditions; Founder, College Theatre Council of Greater St. Louis; Chairman of the Webster Groves Arts Commission.

Charlie Robin, Board Vice President:  Robin is currently Executive Director of the Edison Theatre at Washington University.  A native of St. Louis, Robin has spent more than 20 years working as both an agent and administrator in the arts management industry.  He also teaches a seminar in arts management for the university's nonprofit management graduate degree program.

Sara Burke, Board Vice President:  Since 1981, Burke has served as the Director/owner of The City Studio Dance Center in the Central West End.  She is currently a Commissioner for the Regional Arts Commission. Burke is the choreographer for That Uppity Theatre Company's DisAbility Project under the direction of Joan Lipkin.  She also serves on the boards of Dance St.Louis, MADCO, DanceBrazil/NYC, and the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company in Denver.

John Russell, Board Treasurer:  Russell is currently the Senior Vice President, Branch Manager and Financial Advisor with Stifel Nicolaus in Clayton.  Russell has been in the securities industry for 29 years, the last 22 of them with Stifel.  Russell also serves as vice chairman and board member for Doorways; board member for Stages St. Louis; advisory board member for the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts.

Mary McHugh, Board Secretary: Currently a freelance publicist/writer, McHugh has worked in the public relations arena for more than 25 years.  A former publicist at Fleishman-Hillard, Inc., McHugh recently wrote and published a party book for children. She serves as a panelist for the Regional Arts Commission.

The PTAC was formed in 2004 to heighten awareness of theater in St. Louis by educating youth, building audience awareness and honoring excellence.  This year's theatrical season includes performances by 40 professional companies in the St. Louis area.

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