Abingdon Theatre Company Announces New Managing Director

Heather Henderson recently accepted the position of Managing Director with Abingdon Theatre Company, now in its 20th Season of developing and producing new plays by American Playwrights, announces Artistic Director Jan Buttram. For the past 18 months, Ms. Henderson served as Abingdon's Director of Development. She replaces Samuel J. Bellinger who recently became Director of Finance at Second Stage Theatre. Mr. Bellinger served as Abingdon's Managing Director for 19 years and will continue to serve on Abingdon's Board of Directors. Prior to joining Abingdon's staff, Ms. Henderson had a multi-faceted career in the financial sector, spending the bulk of her time sitting on a foreign exchange trading floor as a representative of the Private Banking Group for Citibank, working predominantly with Latin American clientele. She also served as a team member of UBS Financial Services, managing assets that ran the gamut from retail to ultra high net worth individuals. She also worked with high net worth families creating customized tax efficient wealth management strategies to meet their special needs, utilizing long-term focus and advising clients in proper estate and tax planning. Prior to joining UBS, she was a Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch.

In the non-financial sector, Ms. Henderson taught Spanish at St. Vincent Martyr Elementary School, where she created a Spanish curriculum for grade levels K-6. And, of note, she directed the first musical in the history of SVMS, The Pirates of Penzance, followed by another successful undertaking, The Music Man.

Heather Henderson earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Fordham University, where she also completed a Post-graduate Certificate Program in Accounting. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a Bachelor's Degree from George Washington University in International Affairs.

Abingdon Theatre Company - which has produced more than 78 new American plays in its 20-year history - continues its 2012-2013 Season with the world premiere of BODEGA BAY by Elisabeth Karlin, set to begin previews January 25, prior to its official press opening February 3, in the company's Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street). Sturgis Warner, who recently helmed Najla Said's PALESTINE, directs. Performances run through February 17.

BODEGA BAY is the story of Louise Finch, a shy and awkward woman who has never ventured beyond Staten Island, as she sets out into the dangerous unknown to find the mother who left her and her troubled brother years earlier. The cast includes Susan Louise O'Connor as Louise, with Peter Brouwer , Brian McManamon, Gerardo Rodriguez, Nancy Rodriguez, and Rae C Wright.

For more information about Abingdon Theatre Company, please visit www.abingdontheatre.org