Philadelphia Theatre Co Appoints New Managing Director

Philadelphia Theatre Company announces the appointment of Shira Beckerman as Managing Director following a national search. She will be partnering with PTC's Producing Artistic Director Sara Garonzik.

Shira Beckerman comes to PTC from the Pearl Theatre Company, a well-established Off-Broadway repertory company in New York. She has served as Managing Director for the last four years, steering the company through all administrative initiatives during a major growth/transition phase. Before being promoted to Managing Director, she was their General Manager for one year, overseeing financial and personnel elements of the organization. At Yale Repertory Theatre, she was Assistant Director of Development and then Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, while simultaneously earning her MFA at Yale University. A graduate of Brandeis University, where she received Department Awards in Theatre Arts and Student Life, she has been a mentor for graduate students at Columbia University, Yale University, New York University, and Brooklyn College. She has served as a panelist and research participant for ART/NY, a local service organization serving 300 New York City theater companies.

"I am really thrilled to have Shira join the PTC team, and I know her expertise and enthusiasm will have a wonderful impact on our theater," said Sara Garonzik, PTC's Producing Artistic Director.

"Shira's proven ability to energize and inspire various constituents - staff, funders, and patrons - will be key to helping PTC expand upon our accomplishments, regionally and nationally," said PTC Board President Priscilla Luce.

"I am looking forward to immersing myself in the dynamic and rich Philadelphia cultural community, working closely with Sara Garonzik and playing a vital leadership role not only for Philadelphia Theatre Company but also in the City for many years to come," said Beckerman.

Beckerman begins her tenure at Philadelphia Theatre Company on August 15th.

Founded in 1974, Philadelphia Theatre Company is a leading regional theater company whose mission is to produce, develop and present entertaining and imaginative contemporary theater focused on the American experience that both ignites the intellect and touches the soul. By developing new work through commissions, readings and workshops PTC generates projects that have a national impact and reach broad regional audiences. Under the leadership of Sara Garonzik as PTC's Producing Artistic Director since 1982, PTC supports the work of a growing body of diverse dramatists and takes pride in being a home to scores of nationally recognized artists who have participated in more than 140 world and Philadelphia premieres. PTC has received 45 Barrymore Awards and 147 nominations. In October 2007, PTC moved into a home of its own, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre on Center City Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts, solidifying the Company's status as a major player on the American theater scene.

For further information, please call 215-735-7356.