The Orchard Project Announces Abby Marcus As Its Managing Director

The Orchard Project, the world-renowned theatre accelerator, is proud to announce the appointment of Abby Marcus as its Managing Director effective immediately.

Ms. Marcus will be splitting her time between the Orchard Project and CalArts, where she is currently on faculty teaching in the MFA Producing program. As Managing Director, Marcus will work closely with the Orchard Project's Artistic Director, Ari Edelson.

"The Board and staff of the Orchard Project are frankly honored and humbled to have Abby join us and help lead the organization forward," said Edelson. "Abby's past triumphs speak for themselves; Abby's interest in creating work that is cutting edge, accessible, responsive, and engaging will find a welcome home at the Orchard Project, and her skills as a manager makes her a perfect match us and our growing future."

"I am thrilled for the opportunity to partner with Ari and the Board and staff of the Orchard Project in their work creating a responsive home for theatre artists to create and develop work in our growing bases of New York City and Saratoga Springs," said Ms. Marcus. "I look forward to working with the Orchard Project's community of artists and supporters to nurture and grow the organization."

Abby Marcus is a producer, teacher, and consultant. She was the Managing Director and Lead Producer for the OBIE Award winning "geek theatre" company, Vampire Cowboys. In addition, Abby has worked with St. Ann's Warehouse, as their Director of Finance during their $32M capital campaign and eventual move to their permanent home in the Tobacco Warehouse in Brooklyn Bridge Park. She has previously served as the General Manager/Interim Managing Director for the Playwrights' Center in Minneapolis, the Managing Director for the Dramatists' Guild of America, General Manager for HERE Arts Center, Company Manager for LAByrinth Theater Company, and the Director of Finance for Baryshnikov Arts Center. With Vampire Cowboys, Abby produced the critically acclaimed productions of The Inexplicable Redemption of Agent G (which transferred Off-Broadway in co-production with Ma-Yi Theatre Company); Alice in Slasherland; Soul Samurai (GLAAD Media Award nominee); Fight Girl Battle World (NY Innovative Theater Award nominee for outstanding production); and many more. In Vampire Cowboys' Battle Ranch studio, Abby created and produced The Saturday Night Saloon series, a monthly theater party that featured six new one act plays shown in monthly serialized episodes. Saloon alumni artists include A. Rey Pamatmat, Megan Mostyn-Brown, Mac Rogers, Crystal Skillman, and Webb Wilcoxen.

Abby also works with A + A Arts Consultants to aid small non-profits with strategic planning, organizational structure, institutional support, and financial management. She is currently on Faculty at California Institute of the Arts teaching in the MFA Producing program. She previously served as Chair for the Honorary Awards Committee for the New York Innovative Theater Awards and was a founding Board Member for the League of Independent Theatre, New York. Education: MA in Performing Arts Administration from NYU, BA in Drama from Ithaca College.

For more information, visit www.orchardproject.com