Arden Theatre Company Appoints Rachel M. Tischler As General Manager

Arden Theatre Company announces the appointment of Rachel M. Tischler as General Manager.

Tischler spent 13 years at the United Service Organizations (USO) as Director of Entertainment and Vice President of Entertainment. She expanded the USO's renowned entertainment program to reach more troops serving in Southwest Asia, and increased entertainment and educational offerings for troops and military families around the world and across the U.S., working with the Sesame Workshop and others. Under her leadership, the USO produced more than 900 tours, reaching more than 100 million troops and military family members. Before the USO, Tischler served as General and Company Management Associate for Broadway's musical productions of Gypsy, Flower Drum Song, The Lion King and the smash hit Mamma Mia! Ms. Tischler was also the General Manager for Classic Stage Company in New York City, where she produced the world premiere of comedian Steve Martin's The Underpants and Monster as well as the New York premiere of composer Phillip Glass's In the Penal Colony and Room. Additionally, she served as Associate Managing Director at Yale Repertory Theater; first Assistant Stage Manager at both the Cincinnati Opera and Opera Company of Philadelphia; and Production Stage Manager at South Coast Repertory's Young Conservatory. Ms. Tischler holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y.; a Master of Arts degree from the University of Chicago; and a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale University School of Drama.

Arden Theatre Company Managing Director Amy L. Murphy says, "We are grateful to have Rachel on board with us at the Arden. Rachel brings a wealth of experience to the Arden, and we look forward to the wonderful contributions she will make in this leadership role."

Tischler adds, "I am very honored to have this incredible opportunity to work with the Arden. It is a remarkable organization with a superb team of artists and administrators. The Arden has a strong reputation for producing auspicious shows and stories. I'm excited to be part of it, and to help 'make the magic' happen."

Founded in 1988, Arden Theatre Company is dedicated to bringing to life great stories by great storytellers-on the stage, in the classroom, and in the community. Five productions are staged each season as part of the Mainstage series and two productions through Arden Children's Theatre, the city's first resident professional children's theatre program. New work is produced through the Independence Foundation New Play Showcase. The Arden's Education Department includes: Arden for All (AFA), a theatre access and education program for underserved young people; Arden Drama School, the after-school, Saturday, and summer camp classes for students in grades pre-K-12; Teen Arden, an immersive after-school access program for Philadelphia-area based teenagers; and the Arden Professional Apprentice Program, a nationally renowned comprehensive theatre management training program. The Hamilton Family Arts Center is the new facility dedicated to education programs and new play development.

The Arden has received numerous honors including 65 awards and 373 nominations from the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre. The Arden is a winner of four "Theatre Company of the Year" designations (Philadelphia Inquirer), six Philadelphia Magazine "Best of Philly" awards and three "Best of Philly Kids" awards, the City Paper's Reader's Choice Award and the prestigious "Great Friend to Kids Award" from the Please Touch Museum for Arden Children's Theatre work. For accessibility efforts, the Arden was named a "Keystone of Accessibility" by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Arden Theatre Company is a professional, nonprofit 501(c)(3) theatre company and a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the League of Resident Theatres, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Old City Arts Association. The Arden also participates in The Barrymore Awards, a program of Theatre Philadelphia.

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