Geva's Artistic Director Extends Contract Through 2020

The Executive Committee of Geva Theatre Center's Board of Trustees has announced that Mark Cuddy has renewed his contract as Geva's Artistic Director through July 31, 2020.

Mark Cuddy is celebrating his 20th season as Artistic Director of Geva Theatre Center where he has produced over 165 productions including 26 world premieres; directed nearly 40 plays and musicals; and led Geva through a renaissance of artistic and institutional growth with a diverse repertory, topflight artists, wide-reaching educational programs and a commitment to new play development. During his tenure, a second stage, The Fielding Nextstage, was created - and Geva Theatre Center has grown to become the largest and most-attended producing theatre in New York State outside of Manhattan.

"As he has done so successfully and professionally for twenty years, I know that Mark will continue to carry out Geva's mission to create and produce high caliber professional theatre productions, programs and services of a national standard, "said Joanna Grosodonia, Chair of Geva's Board of Trustees. "On behalf of the Board I extend heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Mark for six more creative, successful years."

"Geva Theatre Center has been my artistic home for over nineteen years, and I am enormously proud of the artists, staff and trustees with whom I have worked to create such a vibrant company," commented Mark Cuddy. "The Rochester community has enthusiastically embraced our work, and engaged with us as partners in theatre-making. I feel incredibly privileged to be able to continue as artistic director into our bright future. My heartfelt thanks to the Geva Board of Trustees for entrusting me with this gem."

As a director, Mr. Cuddy is nationally-renowned for his productions of musicals, contemporary comedies and premieres. He is directing Geva's production of David Lindsay-Abaire's Good People, currently in rehearsal, and which begins its four-week run on October 21 in the Wilson Mainstage.

Mr. Cuddy received the 2013 Performing Artist Award from the Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester. He is a founding member of the Board of Directors for the Rochester Fringe Festival, and served on the Board of Directors of the only national service organization for non-profit theatres, Theatre Communications Group. In 2013, he was also appointed the Producer and Chief Executive of The Cape Playhouse in Dennis, MA.

Prior to his appointment at Geva in 1995, Mr. Cuddy served as Artistic Director of Sacramento Theatre Company, Producing Director of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival and on the directing staff of the Denver Center Theatre Company. He received his B.A. in Theatre/Honors from the University of Massachusetts where he was a Commonwealth Scholar. He resides in Rochester with his wife, theatre and visual artist Christina Selian, who teaches sewing crafts to children in their Highland Park home. Their older son, Maximilian, is in the PhD program in the University of Illinois, Chicago Sociology Department. Their younger son, Augustus, is studying acting at Fordham University in Lincoln Center.

There will be a gala celebration of Mark Cuddy's 20th Anniversary as Geva's Artistic Director on November 16th at the Penthouse on One East Avenue. Tickets for this event are $500 and are available online at gevatheatre.org or by calling (585) 420-2049. Sponsorships for this event are available.

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