Search is on for New Leader of the Paper Mill Playhouse

According to an article by NorthJersey.com, artistic director of Millburn's Paper Mill Playhouse, Mark S. Hoebee is now the interim executive director. He took on the role on June 24 when Mark W. Jones resigned from the position.

Hoebee said of Jones, "He guided the theater towards financial stability."

Jones helped the theater to strike a real estate deal with the township that prevented the theater from being ruined financially.

In June 2008, the Millburn Township Committee bought the nonprofit theater and its land for $9.1 million and then offered to lease back the theater for 75 years.

The theater then used $4 million of that deal to pay its debt and close a gap in the budget.
Hoebee says the former executive director also found new funders and secured Investor Savings Bank as a sponsor for the theater's first season after the township deal was put into place.
Hoebee also let NorthJersey.com know that the theater has a search committee in place to hold interviews and find the theaters next leader.

"We are more stabilized now and looking for someone to partner with me and run the organization for the next long chunk of time," said Hoebee. "We will have our 75th anniversary in the next three years and we need a dedicated and passionate individual to help the senior staff move us into the next era."

Despite the changes, Hoebee is confident about the theater's future.

"We have had an incredibly successful season, and next year's season is already selling well among ticket buyers. It is in a great position to move forward," said Hoebee.

For the original NorthJersey.com article, visit online at www.northjersey.com.