The Antaeus Company Announces A Leadership Change

As of August, 2011, The Antaeus Company will be led by a team of interim co-artistic directors: company members Tony Amendola, Rob Nagle and John Sloan. Kathleen Eads Orbach has been hired as the new Managing Director. This new team will oversee the company's fall production of Noel Coward's Peace in Our Time directed by Casey Stangl which is set to open October 20. Jeanie Hackett, artistic leader of the company since 2003, recently stepped down.

"Ideas about how ensemble companies should be run are always evolving," says Hackett. "Some of our company members believe Antaeus would be better served with a different kind of leadership structure. I'm proud of the artistic and administrative growth we've achieved during my tenure, and the success of our first full season last year. I feel privileged to have led this terrific company of actors for the past eight years, and I look forward to continuing my participation as a company member."

Matthew Goldsby, the chairman of the Antaeus board during much of Jeanie Hackett's tenure, stated, "I worked closely with her during a period of substantial development. I can't imagine anyone being more committed to the success of this company than Jeanie Hackett. We look forward to continuing our work together. The entire company owes her a debt of gratitude, and we are please that she remains as a valued member of the ensemble."

Incoming co-artistic director John Sloan stated, "Antaeus is an ensemble dedicated to bringing classical theater to our community. Though the leadership may change, that mission remains a constant. Jeanie Hackett did a brilliant job during her time as artistic director and we look forward to continuing her work and the work that was begun 20 years ago by the company's founding members."

Created in 1991, The Antaeus Company first made its mark with an acclaimed production of Chekhov's The Wood Demon on the main stage of The Mark Taper Forum. Hackett was invited to join the company in 1999 and in 2003 was asked by founding artistic director Dakin Matthews to serve as his successor. She in turn asked John Apicella to serve with her and the board appointed them co-artistic directors with the approval of the company's membership. Five years later she took on the job solo. Under Hackett's leadership, Antaeus achieved significant artistic and administrative growth, including a tenfold increase in annual income from 2006-2011. In 2010, the 20-year old company presented its first full season of plays: Cousin Bette, King Lear and The Autumn Garden, all garnering numerous Ovation, LA Weekly and LA Drama Critics Circle nominations and awards - including the LADCC's prestigious "Polly Warfield Award for an Excellent Season." In 2011, Hackett oversaw the first offering of the company's second season, a critically-acclaimed production of John Marston's The Malcontent.

During her eight-year tenure, Hackett provided artistic oversight for award winning productions of Chekhov x 4, Mother Courage, Pera Palas (a co-production with The Theatre @ Boston Court), Noel Coward's two-part Tonight at 8:30, and the world premiere musical American Tales. Other notable productions included Phaedra at the Getty Villa and The Dickens Project for LA Theater Works. Hackett created Antaeus signature ClassicsFest for the company in 2003 in order to give ensemble members an arena to initiate projects based on each member's individual aspirations; the company produced six ClassicsFest summer festivals under her watch, comprising over 100 readings and workshop productions.

As artistic director, Hackett developed and grew The Antaeus Academy, the company's professional training wing, from 18 students per year to approximately 250. Hackett served as lead moderator for almost all classes over the last 11 years, in programs designed to engage young professionals with a community of theater experts. Some of the many prominent artists Hackett brought to Antaeus as Academy moderators include Alfred Molina, Austin Pendleton, Blythe Danner, Annette Bening, Jonathan Lynn, Kate Burton, Olympia Dukakis and Daniel Sullivan. To nurture the next generation of classical theater actors, in 2006 she created the A2 Company, selected from top Academy students. With approximately 45 members, the A2 Company presents its own productions readings and workshops while also participating in Main stage activities.

Arts Education programs also expanded and flourished under Hackett's leadership, including an annual Shakespeare monologue contest; "Shakes Alive!;" an outreach program comprised of in-school residencies at local middle and high schools; and a similar program designed for at-risk youth. In 2008, Hackett secured ongoing support for these programs from the Sherri and Les Biller Family Foundation.

Under her watch, donor support increased dramatically, and in 2007 the company embarked on the first leg of a capital campaign. This led to the creation of professional administrative structures, including hiring of first staff, updating and revamping financial systems, building a new website and marketing design, initiating a strategic plan, and expanding and diversifying the board of directors. During this time, Antaeus received grants from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, The Ruth Zeigler Foundation, The DAX Foundation, The Noel Coward Foundation, The Grisham Foundation, the Jockey Hollow Foundation, The Sherri and Les Biller Family Foundation, and most recently a major grant from the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation. In 2008 Antaeus was one of four theater companies chosen for ongoing support by the Community Redevelopment Agency/LA (CRA/LA) Arts Retention Program in North Hollywood.

In 2009 Hackett was selected as one of ten Los Angeles County Arts leaders to participate in the Los Angeles County Arts Commission's Arts Leadership Initiative. This grant provided Hackett with an opportunity to design her own leadership learning experience, and included six months of workshops and seminars centering on non-profit governance, administration, audience development, fundraising, board development and human resources. Through regular attendance at the TCG Fall Forum conference in New York City, Jeanie continued her ongoing education in non-profit management. She currently serves on the Ovation Review Committee at the invitation of the L.A. Stage Alliance.

Hackett directed numerous projects for Antaeus, including the acclaimed world premiere production of Jeffrey Hatcher's Cousin Bette. She also directed plays for L.A. Theater Works, The Classical Theater Lab (where she also served as artistic director), the Odyssey Theater and The Williamstown Theater Festival. As an actress, she has appeared on Broadway in plays by Tennessee Williams and Eugene O'Neill, and has played leading roles off-Broadway and at regional theaters across the country. She makes frequent film and television appearances, most recently wrapped shooting on a new film, The Words with Dennis Quaid. She is a graduate of New York University, Circle in the Square and studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She has taught acting for over 15 years and is the author of two books for actors, "The Actor's Chekhov" and "Toward Mastery."

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