Theater veterans Mark Lamos and Michael Ross have been named artistic director and managing director, respectively, of Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut, as the historic theater enters its 79th season. The new leadership team will assume their positions on February 1, 2009.
Tony Award-nominated director Mark Lamos was appointed following a year-long, nationwide search by the theater's board of trustees. He will take the helm from Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, who served as interim artistic directors during the 2008 season. Lamos, who from 1980 to 1997 was artistic director of Hartford Stage, accepted the 1989 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater on behalf of Hartford's body of work. Most recently, he directed "Cymbeline" and "Seascape" at Lincoln Center Theater, winning a Tony Award nomination for Best Revival for the latter. Under Lamos' direction, PBS' "Live from Lincoln Center" telecast of "Madama Butterfly" won a 2008 Emmy Award for New York City Opera. Lamos will direct the upcoming "Adriana Lecouvreur" with Placido Domingo, opening in February at the Metropolitan Opera.
Michael Ross most recently served for six years as managing director of Center Stage in Baltimore and previously worked in management with two Connecticut theaters, Long Wharf Theatre and Hartford Stage. In addition to management consulting for theaters across the country, he was program officer for National Arts Stabilization. He currently serves on Theatre Communications Group's board of directors. Ross will succeed Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, who served as managing director from 2006 to 2008.
Lamos, who last season was asked to take over from Paul Newman the direction of the Playhouse's "Of Mice and Men," said, "At that time I had no idea that Westport Country Playhouse would attract me on so many levels. I started to learn more about its dazzling history, the parade of great artists who had worked there over nearly 80 seasons, its constant commitment to excellence and its important contribution to the history of American-- as well as Connecticut-- theater. Then I saw the beautiful Playhouse theater and began to feel a quickening of the heart.
"These things are intangible, of course," he continued, "but rehearsing in that vital, intimate space, so lovingly restored by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, along with a group of passionate board members, I began to feel an indescribable attachment not only to the theater but also to the community of board members, donors and audiences to whom it mattered so deeply."
Lamos noted that as he met many of those associated with the Playhouse he began to sense that "this could be a wonderful fit for me right now." He added, "When it became clear that my old colleague Michael Ross was interested in working with me, there was no reason not to accept the chance to take the Playhouse into a new moment, a new era, a new direction."
"We are excited to welcome Mark Lamos as our new artistic director and Michael Ross as our new managing director," said Sandra Walters DeFeo, president, Westport Country Playhouse board of trustees. "Building on Joanne and Annie's artistic success, this exceptionally talented team shares the board's vision to bring the venerable Playhouse to the forefront of American theater as it approaches its 80th anniversary season."
Ms. DeFeo also praised out-going managing director, Jodi Schoenbrun Carter. "The decision to bring in a new managing director originated with Mark and the idea of him and Michael Ross coming on board as a team became a requirement of accepting our offer. The board recognizes and appreciates the significant contributions Jodi has made in the last two years and is grateful for the wonderful work she has done as managing director. The Playhouse is a stronger place because of her, and her passion has been inspiring to all."
