The Pearl Theatre Company Appoints David Roberts as New Managing Director

THE Pearl Theatre Company (J.R. Sullivan, Artistic Director) has announced the appointment of David Roberts as the new Managing Director of the 28 year-old organization. Beginning February 27, Roberts will helm the administrative operations at The Pearl as the company prepares its final production of the current season, A Moon for the Misbegotten. Mr. Roberts replaces Shira Beckerman, who ended her tenure as the managerial head of the company last fall to become Managing Director of the Philadelphia Theatre Company.

“We are delighted that David Roberts will be joining us at The Pearl,” commented Artistic Director J.R. Sullivan. “He brings a wealth of experience as well as new ideas for our company’s administrative operations, just at the moment when The Pearl is about to embark on an exciting new stage of development.”

Mr. Roberts comes to The Pearl directly from Siti Company where he has been the Associate Producer, focusing on General Management and Programs, since 2008. Prior to his time with Siti Company, he was Associate Managing Director at Yale Repertory Theatre while earning his MFA in Theater Management from the Yale University School of Drama. Additionally, Mr. Roberts has been an artistic producing fellow at both The Public Theater and The Foundry Theatre, and has also held positions at Under the Radar Festival 2007, the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU, and Summer Play Festival 2006.

"I am thrilled and honored to be joining the company of such a vibrant ensemble.” commenTed Roberts. “I look forward to working with Jim, and the dedicated board, artists, and staff to bring The Pearl's brand of quality classical theatre to an even greater number of New York audiences. Jim's vision is an inspiring one I'm excited to get behind, and our future plans will delight audiences and supporters for years to come. It's an incredible time to be part of the Pearl."

The Pearl Theatre Company is dedicated to playing a vital role in the cultural life of New York City and its surrounding region with productions that examine, explore, and illuminate the human condition. The Pearl is an artistic home for a diverse company of theatre professionals, especially a core company of resident actors, and provides outreach that both educate and enrich the experiences of artists, students, and audiences. Last season, The Pearl received a 2011 Lortel Award nomination for Best Revival (for The Misanthrope), and a special 2011 Drama Desk Award for "notable productions of classic plays and nurturing a stalwart resident company of actors."

The Pearl is supported, in part, by public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Additionally, The Pearl receives major support from the Fund for the City of New York, the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Shubert Foundation, and the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation.

THE PHILANDERER, by Bernard Shaw, is currently playing at City Center Stage II through February 19, 2012. Eugene O’Neill’s A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN will be the final production in The Pearl’s 2011-12 season, beginning performances March 6 and running through April 15. Tickets are available by going online to NYCityCenter.org, calling CityTix® at 212-598-1212, or visiting the New York City Center box office, located on West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.