Coral Gables' New Theatre-New Artistic Director

New Theatre, the 20-year-old theatre in Coral Gables (FL,) announced today the resignation of its founder and long-time Artistic Director Rafael de Acha, as well as the appointment of Ricky J. Martinez as its new Artistic Director.

In a statement, de Acha said "To relinquish the leadership of an arts organization that I have led for twenty years has taken enormous consideration, especially because this is a theatre that my wife Kimberly and I founded and have sustained and supported at great personal, emotional, and financial cost…I hasten to quiet any concerns… Kimberly and I are in good health, we are not planning to move away, Miami is our home town, I love the New Theatre staff and I have a good relationship with our board of directors."

Paula Levine and Harvey J. Burstein, co-chairs of New Theatre stated that the theatre is very sad to see their founding artistic director retire from this portion of his career and wishes Rafael and Kimberly best wishes for many additional successes. Dr. Levine and Mr. Burstein said that the de Achas are responsible for creating and fostering what has become a South Florida institution, nurturing the careers of countless playwrights, actors and designers, and bringing first rate theater to South Florida citizens.

Dr. Levine and Mr. Burstein also announced that the Board has approved the appointment of Mr. de Acha's hand picked successor, Ricky J. Martinez, as the artistic director of New Theatre. Mr. Martinez is an accomplished actor, director, choreographer, dancer and playwright and is the recipient of two Downtown Miami Play wrighting Program Mentorships with playwrights Arthur Kopit and Tina Howe.

The New Theatre is also pleased to announce that its managing director Eileen Suarez will remain and that she will be an integral part of this transitional period. In addition, the New Theatre wishes everyone to know that its Board of Directors is actively engaged in discussions to move to a new home for its upcoming season and hopes to announce the location of this new home within the immediate future.

The New Theatre 4120 Laguna Street, Coral Gables, Florida 33146 305-443-5909 (Box Office) 305-443-5373 (Business) 305-443-1642 (Fax) www.new-theatre.org 

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