George Thompson

The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) announced today they have appointed George Thompson as Executive Director. Mr. Thompson joins SFGMC during their current 35th anniversary season and - with Artistic Director Dr. Timothy Seelig - will lead the institution to new levels of organizational growth and artistic excellence. With over 25 years of senior level management experience, Thompson has worked previously as both a presenter and producer at nationally recognized institutions.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is proud to announce that A.C.T.?s 2008?09 season gala, Illuminate the Night, raised $715,000 to benefit A.C.T?s acclaimed conservatory programs. The elegant gala event, co-chaired by Carla Crane and Chandra Geiger Gordon, was attended by over 300 of San Francisco?s cultural, corporate, and philanthropic communities, as well as alumni of A.C.T.?s Master of Fine Arts Program such as Tony Award?winning actor Anika Noni Rose. The black tie event took place Sunday, April 19, 2009, at San Francisco?s Four Seasons Hotel and featured an exclusive performance by Judy Kaye, Tony Award?winning star of A.C.T.?s Sweeney Todd and Souvenir. Students from A.C.T.?s own Master of Fine Arts Program and Young Conservatory also performed in musical numbers directed by John Carrafa, the Tony Award?nominated choreographer of Urinetown, the Musical. Along with a cocktail hour and elegant dinner, Illuminate the Night featured a live auction, a paddle raise, and a special raffle drawing for a Smart Car with an exclusive parking spot in front of the American Conservatory Theater all year long.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) and gala co-chairs Carla Crane and Chandra Geiger Gordon are proud to announce A.C.T.'s 2008-09 season gala, Illuminate the Night, featuring an exclusive performance by Judy Kaye, Tony Award-winning star of A.C.T.'s Sweeney Todd and Souvenir. The entertainment for this wonderful evening also includes performances by A.C.T.'s own Master of Fine Arts Program and Young Conservatory students, created and directed by John Carrafa, the Tony Award-nominated choreographer of Urinetown, the Musical on Broadway and at A.C.T.

The American Conservatory Theater Master of Fine Arts Program, ranked fifth in the nation, announces the launch of the M.F.A. 8, a smaller-size class and a new institutional structure, with the incoming class of 2011. The new structure, aimed to re-envision A.C.T.'s institutional culture and the experience of the M.F.A. candidates, includes eight students per class (compared to the admitted class of 12 last year), a full-time faculty, full scholarships for all eight students in their third year, and increased opportunities for students to appear on the A.C.T. mainstage.

The American Conservatory Theater Master of Fine Arts Program, ranked fifth in the nation, announces the launch of the M.F.A. 8, a smaller-size class and a new institutional structure, with the incoming class of 2011.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) and gala co-chairs Carla Crane and Chandra Geiger Gordon are proud to announce A.C.T.'s 2008-09 season gala, Illuminate the Night, featuring an exclusive performance by Judy Kaye, Tony Award-winning star of A.C.T.'s Sweeney Todd and Souvenir. The entertainment for this wonderful evening also includes performances by A.C.T.'s own Master of Fine Arts Program and Young Conservatory students, created and directed by John Carrafa, the Tony Award-nominated choreographer of Urinetown, the Musical on Broadway and at A.C.T.

The A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program presents the hit musical Little Shop of Horrors in a one-night-only special concert presentation. Featuring book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, Little Shop of Horrors is directed by George Thompson and music directed by Robert Rutt.

American Conservatory Theater conservatory director Melissa Smith and Young Conservatory director Craig Slaight announced casting today for the world premiere production of playwright Amy Herzog's The Wendy Play. Directed by A.C.T. associate artist Domenique Lozano, the production features actors from the graduating class of the Master of Fine Arts Program as well as from the Young Conservatory. The Wendy Play plays March 21 through April 5 at Zeum Theater, located at Yerba Buena Gardens (Fourth and Howard streets). Tickets are $15.50-$20.50 and are available by calling A.C.T. Ticket Services at 415.749.2228 or online at www.act-sf.org.

American Conservatory Theater is proud to present two special productions of classic British comedies: Oscar Wilde's dramatic comedy of identity, The Importance of Being Earnest; and Candida, George Bernard Shaw's comedic comment on class, propriety, and desire. The plays, directed by Ken Ruta and Barbara Oliver, respectively, will be performed by members of the ACT Master of Fine Arts (MFA) class of 2008 and will play in repertory at Zeum Theater October 17 through November 3.