Gamm Theatre Boosts Management During 25th Anniversary Season

Yvonne Seggerman, Executive Director of The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, is pleased to announce the hiring of Jessica Hill as the non-profit theater's first general manager, as well as the promotion of former Development Associate BrIan Platt to development manager, also a newly created position. The Combined hiring and promotion within the professional non-profit theater's staff is expected to help manage the company's consistent growth and new opportunities.

Hill first joined The Gamm as a part-time general manager last November, making a mid-career shift. Now a full-time employee, she manages the day-to-day operations of the $1.2 million theater. Previously, Hill worked for several award-winning architectural firms in the area, most recently for Ed Wojcik Architect Ltd., where she was project manager/senior interior designer on projects at Brown University, FM Global and the Rhode Island School of Design, among other clients. Hill also has a background in theatrical set design, including designs for The Gamm's productions of Top Girls and Sin: A Cardinal Deposed. As a volunteer, she has spearheaded the design of the theater's past several annual fundraising galas.

"Jess' skills as a project manager for architectural firms, plus her experience in set design, gave her a real powerhouse of skills useful for this Gamm management position before she even set foot in our door," Seggerman said.  "She has already proven invaluable, as The Gamm has taken on a significant management contract, overseeing the umbrella Pawtucket Armory Center for the Arts in addition to The Gamm's operations."

Jessica graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1999 with a Bachelor of Interior Architecture and a Bachelor of Fine Arts.  She owns Studio Hill, a design firm opened in 2006 and specializing in interior design and theatrical set design. When at Design Collaborative, she was project manager and designer for the Residential Silver Award winner of the Rhode Island Monthly design awards. Jessica was named one of Providence Business News' annual "40 Under Forty" in 2008. She lives in Cumberland, RI, with her husband.

Platt joined The Gamm as a development associate in 2006 and was promoted to development manager last July, at the start of The Gamm's most recent fiscal year.

"Brian has helped stabilize our fundraising efforts, overseeing events such as our annual fundraising gala and special events for major donors," Seggerman said.  "He is a fantastic asset to our team and his strong background in both theater and management compliment his wonderful skills as a professional fundraiser."

Platt graduated with an M.F.A. from Rhode Island College/Trinity Rep Conservatory in 2002, and a B.A. in Theatre Arts and English from Drew University in 1994. His extensive teaching credits include Trinity Repertory Company, Roger Williams University, All Children's Theatre, and Arlington Center for the Arts, among others. His regional acting and directing credits include Trinity Repertory Company, Chamber Theatre Productions of Boston, Elemental Theatre, and Industrial Theatre. Before moving to Rhode Island, Platt spent five years as producer at Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, where he also taught theater and directed.

Additionally, Platt works as Rhode Island coordinator for Poetry Out Loud, the national high-school poetry recitation contest created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. He lives in Johnston, RI, with his wife and daughter.

Founded in 1984 as Alias Stage, the non-profit Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre creates the finest of live theater, engaging the audience intensely in current and recurrent issues of consequence. The Gamm further serves the public with educational outreach programming designed to support the theatrical experience, and help sustain and enhance the intellectual and cultural life of its community. The Gamm is a member of New England Area Theatre (NEAT), a bargaining unit of the Actors Equity Association.

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