New Artistic Director Announced at Seattle Shakespeare Company

Seattle Shakespeare Company Board Chairman Phil Miller today announced the Board of Directors has found an "an outstanding artist and great leader" in George Mount, saying Mount's leadership within the Seattle arts community, demonstrated experience as a producer, and passion for Shakespeare and the classics make him the ideal candidate to lead Seattle Shakespeare Company to a new horizon.

"This position attracted more than 50 outstanding candidates from across the country and Canada, which is a testament to Seattle Shakespeare Company's growing reputation as a vibrant, innovative and fiscally sound theatre company," said Miller, an attorney at Miller & Spouse, and chair of Seattle Shakespeare Company's Search Committee.

Mount, who has been serving as interim Artistic Director, will immediately assume his new position.

Prior to stepping in as interim Artistic Director Mount, was Seattle Shakespeare Company's Director of Outdoor and Touring Performance overseeing Wooden O, the company's free summer Shakespeare performances in the parks, and the touring productions that perform in schools and other venues across the state.

Both an actor and director, Mount founded Wooden O productions in 1994 and started its annual free summer Shakespeare performances at Mercer Island's Luther Burbank Amphitheater which then grew to tour its productions throughout parks in King and Snohomish counties. When Seattle Shakespeare Company merged with Wooden O in 2008, Mount became the company's Director of Outdoor and Touring Performance. Since that time attendance at the Wooden O performances has increased 81% and has featured some of the city's top actors as well as rising newcomers. Under his guidance Seattle Shakespeare Company's small-cast touring productions grew to offer live classical theatre to more than 10,000 people a year in underserved communities across the state of Washington. His work as an actor includes productions at Seattle Shakespeare Company, ACT, Book-It Repertory Theatre, Seattle Public Theater, SecondStory Repertory, Village Theatre, Boomer Classics, Theater Schmeater and Annex Theatre. Mount is a graduate of Mercer Island High School and Western Washington University. He received his MFA from the University of Kansas City.

Former Artistic Director Stephanie Shine stepped down at the end of June 2011 after serving Seattle Shakespeare Company for 17 years (4 years as Education Director and 13 years as Artistic Director).

"Out of all of the criteria we had in looking for a new artistic director, George has the best balance," Miller said. "He's had hands-on experience in the company's main areas of programming and deep ties to the arts community. His demonstrated ability as both an artist and administrator won him a ringing endorsement from the Board."

Seattle Shakespeare Company conducted a 6-month search process for the position. The 11-member Search Committee was comprised of representatives from the Seattle Shakespeare Company Board and staff as well as members of the non-profit funding community, local theatre artists and committed patrons. Committee members did initial candidate reviews and made recommendations to the Board of Directors. The top three candidates were interviewed by Board and staff with the Board of Directors making the final decision.

"This is really an extraordinary privilege," said Mount. "I believe strongly in the mission of Seattle Shakespeare Company and am proud of the work I've done to help build the company into one of the premier arts organizations in the region. We've come so very far in our little more than 20 years, and the best is yet to come. I'm thrilled at the prospect of where we are headed, and I'm eager to work together with the staff, Board and our outstanding community of local artists to help us get there."

"I couldn't be more delighted," said John Bradshaw, Seattle Shakespeare Company's Managing Director. "George is a rare individual with an artist's vision that is both tempered and inspired by the realities of producing within certain fiscal responsibilities. I look forward to partnering with him to create an even brighter future for Seattle Shakespeare Company."