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MEDIA ALERT FOR THEATRE EDITORS AND WRITERS
LEADERSHIP TRANSITION SLATED FOR
THE LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
December 2, 2015…The Laguna Playhouse announced today, a key leadership
transition slated for 2016. Karen Wood, executive director will be leaving the
Playhouse completing her 8th season at the 95 year old landmark institution. As
Executive Director, Ms. Wood has been instrumental in the programming and
business model re-designs that successfully propelled the Playhouse through the
challenging years of the deep financial recession.
Commenting on Ms. Wood’s accomplishments, Co-Chairs Joe Hanauer and Paul
Singarella, said, “This is a positive moment of accomplishment for Karen and one of
excitement for Laguna Playhouse as it is well positioned to look to change, growth
and new opportunities on multiple levels. The board of trustees and professional
staff continue to be deeply committed to serving the community with ever increasing
passion and creativity, and building on the 95-year legacy of Laguna Playhouse.
Karen served the community and Laguna Playhouse very well and we will continue
to build on her accomplishments.”
The 2014-2015 season was indeed a very good year, with 325 performances enjoyed
by over 80,000 people. The audience numbers were a record number of people in
attendance, and the positive financial results reflect this strong audience interest.
“Having navigated through these challenging times and with this new forward
momentum I feel it’s an appropriate moment for me to move on to other creative
opportunities that are on my personal horizon,” said Karen Wood. “I am so proud
of our team and our Board leadership, and have treasured Ann Wareham’s artistic
partnership, and Andy Barnicle’s before that. I will always hold Laguna Playhouse
and this special community near to my heart and be there for the Playhouse in any
way I may be of service in a successful transition for new leadership,” added Karen
Wood.
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LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
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From this strong platform, the Board of Directors and key leadership of Laguna
Playhouse look forward to serving the evolving interests of audiences and patrons in
the years ahead. The search for new leadership will be conducted by Arts
Consultants Group, with the desire to bring on the new leadership in the first half of
2016.
Laguna Playhouse is your “go to” for a great night out – be it plays, musicals,
concerts, dance, stand-up comedy, author panels, family entertainment and more. No
matter what your entertainment taste, with over 300 performances a year, we’re what’s
going on!
Founded in 1920, the Laguna Playhouse is one of the oldest continuously-operating
not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast and is noted for its artistic excellence, wideranging performing arts programming, award-winning youth education offerings and
community partnerships. A member of the League of Resident Theatres, the Laguna
Playhouse is also home to the annual Laguna Dance Festival, the Laguna Beach
Music Festival and the Laguna Beach Concert Band. The Laguna Playhouse has been
recognized for excellence by the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, LA Drama
Critics Circle, OC Weekly and more.
Because of its longstanding commitment to the arts, The Laguna Playhouse has been
recognized for excellence by the LA Drama Critics Circle, NAACP, Backstage, ArtsOC,
OC Weekly, Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and more. Laguna Playhouse’s
educational programming, which includes classes, productions by and for children and
teens (Youth Theatre) and a school tour, has been honored by the American Alliance
for Theatre and Education, Arts Orange County and the Orange County Department
of Education.
Serving more than 100,000 patrons each season, the Laguna Playhouse has featured
many talented performers on stage, including Leslie Caron, Val Kilmer, Ed Asner,
Hershey Felder, Linda Purl, Davis Gaines, Donna McKechnie, Rita Rudner, violinist
Joshua Bell, Lee Rocker, ballerina Misty Copeland, Harrison Ford, and Bette Davis.
The Laguna Playhouse – we’re What’s Going On!
Learn what’s new at www.lagunaplayhouse.com