Bill Kerlin Appointed Managing Director of North Coast Repertory Theatre

North Coast Repertory Theatre today announced the appointment of Mr. K William "Bill" Kerlin to the position of Managing Director. "Bill impressed us with his experience and enthusiasm," says Dr. Allen Moffson, President of the North Coast Repertory Theatre's Board of Trustees. "We feel very fortunate to be able to attract to North Coast Rep someone with the long record of accomplishment that Bill brings with him. In partnership with Artistic Director David Ellenstein, we will have a leadership team that will bring North Coast Rep to new levels of attainment as a theatre and as one of the most important arts institutions in the region." David Ellenstein adds, "Bill brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that can only help to make us better. I am looking forward to working with him as my partner in creating meaningful and vibrant theatre."

Bill Kerlin, originally from Valparaiso, Indiana, brings over twenty years of finance, marketing, and sales experience to North Coast Repertory Theatre, including sixteen seasons as the Director of Administration at the legendary Coconut Grove Playhouse, in Miami. During the time Mr. Kerlin served at Coconut Grove, it was the largest professional not-for-profit producing theatre in the State of Florida. Coconut Grove Playhouse had an impressive 1,100 seat mainstage (LORT A), and a 140 seat encore room (LORT D). An education department had classes for children and adults, a summer camp, and two touring shows which supported academic content in public schools.

Over the years, CGP was home to hundreds of theater's most eminent artists, including: Tallulah Bankhead, Maureen Stapleton, Hume Cronyn, George C. Scott, Liza Minnelli, Denzel Washington, Bea Arthur, Jack Klugman, Tony Randall, Judd Hirsch, Kathleen Turner, Lucie Arnaz, Hal Linden, and Theodore Bikel. Many Tony and award-winning playwrights, directors, and composers premiered works at CGP including: Cy Coleman, Charles Strauss, Jimmy Buffet, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, Herman Wouk, David Auburn, Alfred Uhry, and Luis Santeiro. Several projects have moved to Broadway, off-Broadway, National Tours, or the West End including: "Fame," "Matador," "Family Secrets," "Visiting Mr. Green," "Death of a Salesman," "An Evening with Jerry Herman," "Don't Stop the Carnival," "Tallulah," "The Gathering," "I'm Not Rappaport," and "Urban Cowboy".

Prior to joining The Playhouse in 1988, Mr. Kerlin worked as a Senior Training Specialist at Interval International in Miami. His background includes stints in direct mail advertising for Advo Systems and market research for RJ Reynolds. Mr. Kerlin graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's of Business Administration from the University of Miami in 1984. While he completed his Master's of Science from Florida International University, he concurrently taught classes at Miami Dade College and worked full-time.

Most recently, Mr. Kerlin was the Chief Financial Officer for Professionals' Retirement Strategy, a national insurance and retirement planning service firm. Bill also served as a Board Member for Camposition, a performing arts company whose mission is to push the boundary between contemporary performance and activism through live performance, interactive outreach programs, and professional development trainings. Through unique performance interventions, Camposition's artists crash through life, performing in unexpected places and situations.

Mr. Kerlin is a fervent supporter of the arts, human rights, spiritual growth, and local sports teams. "Personally," Bill shares, "I'm a Miami Hurricanes fan, but I hope that the Chargers will have a season that makes me a fan." In his free time, Bill also enjoys playing tennis and attending live performance, whether it's theater, music, dance, or performance art.

 

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