Brave New World Names Shannon Sindelar as Producing Artistic Director

Claire Beckman, Board Chair and founder of Brooklyn's acclaimed Brave New World Repertory Theatre, has announced the selection of Shannon Sindelar as the company's new producing artistic director. Effective immediately, Sindelar's appointment was unanimously approved by the company's board of directors.

Sindelar brings a substantial background in cutting-edge New York theatre. She served for four years as Managing and Programming Director of Richard Foreman's famed Ontological-Hysteric Theatre in the East Village, programming and developing its independent artist faction the Incubator, which garnered an Obie grant and transitioned to become its own organization under her direction. She also was co-artistic director of the Brooklyn-based cross-media performance group 31 Down, cited by Time Out NY as one of four "off-off Broadway innovators to watch."

In taking on the position, Sindelar spoke about honoring the company's mission and history, commenting, "Brave New World does extraordinary work. One of my immediate goals is to bring the company to a greater public consciousness through reviews and word-of-mouth by extending the runs of the site-specific works. I'm also especially excited about the Brave New Works program because there's a real lack of opportunity for emerging playwrights to have their scripts produced."

"It's gratifying to have attracted someone of Shannon's caliber and experience," said Beckman. "She has a wonderfully balanced skill set - in addition to her considerable achievements in New York theatre, she just completed her masters degree in directing from noted drama school Carnegie-Mellon University, which is also my alma mater. That program attracts risk-takers. Not only does she have significant producing, managerial and administrative experience, she also has the vision, intelligence and passion to honor Brave New World's mission, while also leading us in some exciting new directions." Beckman said she looks forward to supporting Sindelar as Board chair and to growing the board, base and budget for the company.

Celebrating their first decade as Brooklyn's premier professional theatre company, Brave New World will also announce details of the upcoming season and introduce their new Producing Artistic Director to their supporters April 4th at The Green Building in Carroll Gardens for the Tenth Anniversary Gala featuring a performance by acclaimed musical comedienne Katie Goodman, as well as cocktails and an auction.

Upcoming productions include "Moby Dick-Rehearsed" by Orson Welles, May 3-5 and 10-12 at the Waterfront Museum in Red Hook and a site-specific production of "Street Scene" by Elmer Rice, June 22-23 and 29-30. Sindelar's first season will include the productions of "Life is a Dream" by Pedro Calderon in repertory with a new york premiere of a play by a Brooklyn writer, planned for Spring 2014. Sindelar will also debut a new initiative called Brave New Works: four new plays by emerging Brooklyn playwrights selected for staged readings. Sindelar will award one of the four plays the top prize of a fully produced premiere in 2015.