New London Barn Playhouse Announces Key Staff Promotions

Barn Playhouse Board of Directors has announced the appointment and promotion of Elliott Cunningham and Jody Cooper-Rubin to key management positions reporting to Keith Coughlin, Executive Artistic Director.

Elliott, in his new role as Director of Operations and Associate Artistic Director, begins his fifth consecutive year at the Barn, most recently as Company Manager. He will now oversee Sales & Marketing, Box Office Operations, Facilities, and the Barn's business office in addition to assisting in the development and management of main stage productions. Elliott previously served in key management roles with the Transport Theater Group in NYC, the Cumberland County Playhouse and the Cunard Cruise Lines. Also a performer, he has many credits including Barn productions of Little Women, Crazy for You, All Shook Up and many more. He was the lead production singer on the Cunard Line Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth with many performances to his credit. Elliott graduated with a BFA from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.

Jody, in her new role as Director of Development, will oversee the Barn's overall fundraising and grant development efforts in support of our annual operating and capital improvement needs. She will also manage multiple events held throughout the year to recognize the generosity of our many donors and patrons who make everything we do at the Barn possible. As Jody is often heard saying.... "We couldn't do it without you"! She actually became a "Barnie" as Gretl in the Barn's 1964 production of The Sound of Music and has performed multiple times on the Barn's stage, most recently as Nellie in the production of The Man Who Came to Dinner. Jody has enjoyed performing at the Newport Opera House and Colby-Sawyer College while also singing with the Kearsarge Chorale and the Sunapee Singers. A lifelong resident of New London, she has actively volunteered in support of many community committees and fundraising efforts. Jody holds a B.S. degree from Colby Sawyer College and a M.Ed. in Counseling from Plymouth State University.

As Keith stated to the Barn's Directors, "We are so fortunate to have extremely talented and dedicated individuals like Elliott and Jody stepping into management roles vital to the ongoing success of the Barn Playhouse as we build an exciting lineup of shows for our 86th season. As I have said many times, we are indeed fortunate to 'do the things we do' thanks to the incredible support from this great community."