Executive Director Michael Gennaro to Depart Trinity Rep for Goodspeed Musicals
Trinity Repertory Company has announced that Executive Director Michael Gennaro will depart the Company, having accepted a position as executive director of East Haddam, Connecticut's Goodspeed Musicals.
Gennaro was selected by Goodspeed Musicals after a nationwide search, and will assume leadership of Goodspeed in February 2015.
"Michael has been an outstanding leader of Trinity and the arts community of Southeastern New England for the past eight years, and a dear friend to so many of us. We will miss him," said Suzanne Magaziner, Chair of Trinity's Board of Trustees. "But there is also a great deal of pride. Goodspeed is known as 'the home of the American musical,' having produced more than 250 shows over the past four decades. Those who know Michael and his family history can easily understand that to be asked to lead this national treasure is truly a dream come true for him."
"Departures are always emotional for everyone involved, and Michael's departure from Trinity is no exception. It's particularly bittersweet for me, since I've worked with him for nearly 20 years - first at Steppenwolf in Chicago, then here at Trinity Rep for nearly a decade," said Trinity Rep Artistic Director Curt Columbus. "He is my colleague, my collaborator, my chief counsel, and my friend. The work that Michael has done here has been transformational to our theater, and indeed, to the state of the Arts in Rhode Island. Knowing him has also changed me in profound ways, and our partnership will continue to define me, and Trinity as a whole, for years to come."
During his tenure at Trinity Rep, Gennaro expertly managed the Company's $8 million annual budget and more than 100 artistic and administrative staff. He has been instrumental in improving Trinity's financial footing by significantly reducing debts and leading an $18 million capital campaign, which will conclude next month.
In addition, in recent months, Gennaro was a leading figure in the Rhode Island Coalition for Arts and Preservation, which successfully campaigned for passage of a statewide referendum on November's ballot supporting a $35 million investment in the state's artistic, cultural and historic preservation organizations.
Gennaro joined Trinity Rep as Executive Director in 2007, after a longtime career in theater including eight years as executive director at Steppenwolf Theatre and, before that, leadership roles with Pennsylvania Ballet, Ford's Theatre and Paper Mill Playhouse.
"It is with mixed emotions that I announce I will be leaving Trinity Rep to become the Executive Director at Goodspeed Musicals in Connecticut," Gennaro said. "I have been lucky beyond words that Trinity and Providence have been home to my wife and me for the last eight years. During that time, I have been surrounded by a truly supportive and generous board, an extraordinary staff of talented and dedicated people, and one of the great acting companies in America. I am very proud of all that we accomplished together and I am confident Trinity's path will remain steady and true."
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