Val Day Joins 59E59 Theaters as New Artistic Director

59E59 Theaters announces that Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director, and Peter Tear, Executive Producer, will be stepping down from their roles at the theater. Val Day, a longtime agent with William Morris and ICM, has been appointed the new Artistic Director.

Effective May 7, 2017, Elysabeth Kleinhans will step away from her role as Artistic Director. She will remain as President of the Board of Directors, and take the title of Founding Artistic Director for The Elysabeth Kleinhans Theatrical Foundation.

Executive Producer Peter Tear will guide the transition of artistic leadership at the theater through May 7, when he will devote himself full time to consulting and commercial producing projects. His position will not be replaced.

"With the selection of our new Artistic Director, 59E59 Theaters moves to a new phase as we complete the planned transition from the founding team to a traditional theater management structure, begun in 2012 with the appointment of Brian Beirne as Managing Director," said Elysabeth Kleinhans.

"It is an immense honor to be joining the talented team at 59E59," said Day. "I am so gratified to be working within the unique presenting model that Elysabeth and Peter have created. The level of support they provide to other non-profits is unusually generous and provides exposure to a broad range of theaters and artists who would otherwise not be able to afford the substantial costs of producing in NYC."

"Building 59E59 Theaters reputation from scratch, when no one knew who or where we were, has been the most rewarding experience of my life. The close connections with our many enthusiastic members, companies, actors, playwrights, musicians, designers and directors - and our superb staff - are special bonds I will treasure forever. It has all been tremendous fun," said Peter Tear. "As I move into a new phase of my career, I wish with all my heart that 59E59 continues to fill the lives of all those who enjoy innovative and challenging theater and a great night out."

Since 2004, The Drama Desk Award-winning 59E59 Theaters has been dedicated to bringing the best new work from around the country and across the world to premiere in New York. Conveniently located in the heart of Midtown, just east of Central Park, this Off Broadway destination is a spectacular, modern theater complex boasting three spaces and presenting live performances six days a week, 50 weeks a year.

Committed to introducing innovative, invigorating, never-before-seen work to New York audiences, 59E59 provides a space for emerging and established not-for-profit theater companies to reach new audiences. We partner with these companies by giving them a highly-subsidized rental rate as well as production, marketing and press support. They also get to keep 100% of the box office net sales.

At the centerpiece of our programming is a five-play series representing the very best of American and international playwriting and performance. Carefully curated to fulfill our decade-long mission of bringing new, adventurous plays to new, adventurous audiences, this subscription series helps to support our mission and in turn offers exhilarating, illuminating theater to theater-goers with an appetite for new writing.