Neal Spinler Named Executive Managing Director of Playwrights Foundation 7/13

Playwrights Foundation's Board of Directors will announce the engagement of Neal Spinler as the 40-year old nonprofit arts organization's first executive Managing Director at the Festival's kick-off 40th Anniversary Celebration today Thursday, July 13th at 6:30PM on the historic Rooftop Terrace at 343 Sansome St, San Francisco.. Spinler will work alongside Artistic Director Amy Mueller to lead the acclaimed playwright development company, beginning in August following the 40th Anniversary Bay Area Playwrights Festival. The engagement culminates a multi-year strategic planning process and the organization's first capital campaign.

"We as a Board, and specifically those of us board members, artists and theater leaders who participated in the crafting of the Strategic Plan, are excited, energized and grateful that we have successfully completed our national search with the appointment of Neal Spinler," remarks Board Chairperson Ditka Reiner. "The real work of transformation begins now and I for one look forward to supporting the great work Neal and Amy will do as a team to evolve, elevate and lead Playwrights Foundation and our artists into the 21st century."

Neal Spinler has over twenty years of theater and arts leadership experience with key marketing, communications, and development roles at The Children's Theatre Company, Pillsbury House Theatre, LA Stage Alliance, Rogue Artists Ensemble, Tears of Joy Theatre, Pasadena Symphony and Pops, and ODC/Dance. He received a BFA in Theatre Direction from U-WI Superior and an MBA from the Bolz Center for Arts Administration at U-WI Madison.

"I am thrilled to be joining Playwrights Foundation during this time of momentous change," says Spinler. "It will truly be an honor to work alongside Amy and the Foundation's dedicated Board to help bring the organization to greater heights by exploring operational platforms, developing new fundraising initiatives, and increasing engagement with the community. I am especially pleased to become a part of an organization dedicated to helping playwrights craft and hone their art of storytelling, one of humankind's oldest art forms."