Guthrie Theater Artistic Director Joseph Haj Appoints James Haskins As Managing Director And Mollie Alexander Hogan As Director Of Development

Following an extensive nationwide search, Guthrie Theater Artistic Director Joseph Haj today announced the appointment of two new members to his senior leadership team: James Haskins as managing director and Mollie Alexander Hogan as director of development.

Haskins comes to the Guthrie after completing a 12-year tenure as managing director of the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia in partnership with Artistic Director Blanka Zizka. He began his work in theater administration at Circle Repertory Company and went on to work with a variety of theaters in New York and Seattle, most notably Seattle Group Theatre. Upon moving to Philadelphia, Haskins first worked as managing director of InterAct Theatre Company while also serving on the board of the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia as chair of the Barrymore Awards Oversight Committee. He subsequently moved into the executive director position of the Theatre Alliance before joining the Wilma Theater.

"James is a broadly experienced LORT [League of Resident Theatres] manager who is inspired by and leads with art and mission," said Haj. "The hiring committee found him to be a thoughtful and compelling thinker and communicator and was excited by his creative ideas for the future of the Guthrie. He is accustomed to a very broad portfolio of work and will be an outstanding leader in the organization."

Haskins said, "I am inspired by the vision, values and artistry that Joseph Haj brings to the Guthrie, and I am thrilled to collaborate with him, the board and the staff to advance the organization's mission. As the country's premier regional theater, the Guthrie leads not only the Twin Cities, but the nation, in engaging our next generation of theatergoers. I am committed to advancing the goals of the Guthrie by sharing universal stories that speak to the human condition."

As a theater artist, Haskins acted in many productions before turning to theater administration, directing and dramaturgical work. He holds an M.F.A. from the University of Washington and a B.A. from The College of Wooster [Ohio], where he previously served on the alumni board and currently serves as president of his alumni class. He also served on the Cultural Advisory Committee under former Philadelphia mayor, Michael Nutter. He will join the Guthrie staff and Haj's leadership team on March 25, 2019.

Haskins will be joined by Mollie Alexander Hogan as the incoming director of development. She comes to the Guthrie from Kansas City Repertory Theatre where she is in her 10th season as director of development, overseeing major artistic expansion and capital campaigns. Under Alexander Hogan's leadership, Kansas City Rep doubled its total fundraising efforts with a nearly 300% increase in individual giving alone. She also led the theater's launch of a $5.6 million campaign to renovate Spencer Theatre and the Creative Future Fund, raising almost $5 million to grow audiences, new works and education with more expected in its final year of fundraising.

Prior to Alexander Hogan's work with Kansas City Rep, she was the director of development and marketing at Chicago's About Face Theatre and began her arts administration career at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. A native Kentuckian, Alexander Hogan grew up in Maysville and then journeyed to Lexington for her education in theater at the University of Kentucky.

Alexander Hogan has served on various committees and boards, including the Mid-America Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Operation Breakthrough, Coterie Theatre and Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri. She recently completed a yearlong Emerging Leaders training program through Kansas City's Central Exchange and is a Gold Award-winning Girl Scout.

"In addition to a broad and demonstrable skillset, the hiring committee was especially taken by Mollie Alexander Hogan's strategic thinking, drive and data-driven approach to fundraising," shared Haj. "She clearly centers the organization's mission and values in her work and activates donors around the described aims of the theater. I am very excited for Mollie to lead our development department and join the leadership team at the Guthrie."

"I am thrilled to join Joseph Haj and the rest of the team at the Guthrie," Alexander Hogan shared. "The Guthrie's long-standing reputation as one of the top regional theaters in the country, the excellence presented on stage and the community's commitment to the arts make this a dream job for me. My family and I are excited to be part of the Twin Cities community and to enjoy all that this dynamic region has to offer." She will join the Guthrie staff and Haj's leadership team on March 18, 2019.

With these appointments, Haj completes his senior leadership management team, which currently includes Associate Artistic Director Jeffrey Meanza and Director of Production Rebecca Cribbin. As managing director, James Haskins will lead the administrative facets of the theater, including finance, human resources, information technology, facilities, contract and labor negotiations, marketing and visitor services. Mollie Alexander Hogan will oversee the Guthrie's relationship with its multifaceted donor community and fundraising efforts, including individual and community donations, institutional giving and corporate giving.

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