12 Miles West's Lenny Bart to Become AD of Pushcart Players

After nine seasons as Artistic Director, Lenny Bart will be leaving 12 Miles West to become the new Artistic Director of Pushcart Players.Since joining 12 Miles West in 2001, Bart has lead this small professional theatre company from the brink of closure, helping to eliminate a mountain of debt and expanding programs while continuing to build the company's reputation for mounting quality productions of new and lesser known plays. During Bart's tenure, 12 Miles West presented a long list of regional, state and world premieres, established the Troupe of Vagabonds family theater and the 12 Miles West Radio Players, and greatly expanded their arts education programs. The company's board is immensely grateful to Mr. Bart for his dedication, vision and hard work over the past nine years and wish him well in his new endeavor.

Pushcart Players is a world-renowned, New Jersey-based professional touring theater for young and family audiences founded 35 years ago by Ruth Fost who currently serves as Executive/Artistic Director. Fost will continue as Executive Director when Bart assumes the position of Artistic Director on March 8.

12 Miles West has led a somewhat nomadic existence the past few years, first losing its home of eight years in Montclair and then, after just three years, its space in Bloomfield. The company found a friend in Playwrights Theatre Artistic Director John Pietrowski who opened the doors of his Madison space to 12 Miles West for the past three years. That building, too however, is for sale and their future there unlikely. The inability to find an affordable, long-term home combined with the impact of the "Great Recession" resulting in diminished ticket sales and decreased donations and foundation support, has made the company's future very precarious. According to Development Director and Board Treasurer Gloria Falzer, 12 Miles West simply does not have the funds to pay staff and mount productions at this time.

The Board has decided to suspend operations of 12 Miles West for the remainder of this season while they evaluate The Situation and explore the available opportunities. The company is, so to speak, going into hibernation. Tricia Bart will remain in her position as Managing Director for the company on a part-time basis.

12 Miles West raised the bar for small professional theater in our state over the past 18 years. They have provided a supportive home to scores of artists, many of whom are still working successfully in their fields. They've presented dozens of new and lesser known plays including nine world premieres as well as the work of many other fledgling arts groups. It is the Board's hope that 12 Miles West will be able to go forward in some way, and that this hibernation will be a temporary condition.