'Kimmel Center Presents' Series Gets New Leadership

Thomas Warner, who joined the Center in 1999, two years before its opening, has been named Vice President of Programming. Warner who first served as Program Manager, then as Director of Programming, will be responsible for the "Kimmel Center Presents" series in the Kimmel Center and the Academy of Music-ranging across performance genres including classical, dance, jazz, world and popular entertainment. Warner will also be responsible for "Free at the Kimmel," a popular series of programs in Commonwealth Plaza open to the public free of charge.

Warner succeeds Mervon Mehta, who was named Executive Director, Performing Arts of the Royal Conservatory of Music's new TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning in Toronto, effective April 1. Together, Warner and Mehta have instituted a series of highly successful and innovative program initiatives for the Kimmel Center, including "Fresh Ink," a non-traditional showcase of 21st century music featuring both established and younger artists, and "Summer Solstice," a signature program that draws several thousand people in a continuous 15-hour long event. Since its opening in December 2001, the Kimmel Center has presented over 55 world and Philadelphia premieres, while over 100 artists have made their Philadelphia debuts.

"We are so delighted to have Tom Warner take on such a pivotal role in our programming, which is a major part of our mission," said Anne Ewers, Kimmel Center's President and CEO in commenting on Warner's appointment. "He will provide leadership, continuity and growth in this critically important area, and we are fortunate to have him with us."

The Broadway and family entertainment productions at the Academy of Music and the Forrest Theatre also get new leadership with Matthew Wolf joining Kimmel Center's senior management team as Managing Director, Theatrical Presentations beginning January 20.

Wolf will be responsible for the development and implementation of theatrical programming and operations, providing the overall artistic vision, leadership and management of the Center's expanding number of theatrical offerings.

Coming from Broadway Across America in New York where he served as Executive Director of Programming for the past two years, Wolf has been with the organization and its predecessor companies, Clear Channel Entertainment and Live Nation among them, since 2001, and before that with Columbia Artists Management, Inc. where he served as a contract and tour manager.

As Anne Ewers acknowledged, "We are extremely grateful and thank Mervon for his fine work and dedication. We have put in place a solid foundation for both Tom and Matt to build upon as we move forward with a continued focus on excellence in all of our programs and presentations."

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