Chad Jones And Tom Pearl Join Staff Of Berkeley Rep

Today, Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced the addition of two esteemed professionals to its staff: Chad Jones, the respected local journalist, joins the Theatre as its new communications manager, and Tom Pearl, an experienced theatre leader, takes over the position of production manager. They join Berkeley Rep as it prepares for a season that features seven daring new shows: the world premiere of American Idiot from Green Day and Michael Mayer, the world premiere of Girlfriend from Todd Almond and Matthew Sweet, the world premiere of Concerning Strange Devices from the Distant West from Naomi Iizuka and Les Waters, the world premiere of a new play from Lisa Kron and Leigh Silverman, the West Coast premiere of Tiny Kushner from Tony Kushner and Tony Taccone, and local debuts for Athol Fugard's Coming Home and Aurelia's Oratorio.

"I'm pleased to welcome Chad and Tom to our team," remarks Susan Medak, the Theatre's managing director. "Chad has a long history of writing warm and insightful stories on local theatre, so his skills will be put to good use in communicating with our audience. And Tom has the perfect experience to spearhead our work on technically challenging shows such as American Idiot. It's going to be an exciting year at Berkeley Rep, and I'm glad they're here to help.

Jones has covered Bay Area theatre as a professional writer and editor since 1992, including ten years as the theatre critic and features writer for the Oakland Tribune. Under the supervision of Terence Keane, the Theatre's director of public relations, he will serve as editor-in-chief of the printed program distributed at each show, oversee Berkeley Rep's award-winning blog, and manage other online outreach to the Theatre's audience. With a single exception, he has seen every production at Berkeley Rep for the past 12 years, a depth of knowledge that will serve him well in his new position. His predecessor in this post, Megan Wygant, has become the Theatre's company manager.

Pearl comes to Berkeley Rep from Baltimore's CenterStage, where he served as production manager for three seasons and as master electrician for 11 seasons. Working under Medak and Artistic Director Tony Taccone, he coordinates with the director and designers of each show to translate their artistic vision into the physical production that appears on stage. His position supervises all of the artisans in Berkeley Rep's costume shop, prop shop, and scene shop, as well as electricians, sound technicians, stage managers, and the backstage crew.