Broadway's Debbie Bisno Named Resident Producer of McCarter Theatre

McCarter Theatre Center's Resident Playwright/Artistic Director Emily Mann and Managing Director Timothy J. Shields have announced Debbie Bisno as the theatre's new Resident Producer. Ms. Bisno, a Broadway producer with two decades in the commercial and non-profit theatrical arenas, assumes her new leadership role immediately. Ms. Bisno will be based in Princeton as an important member of the artistic team at McCarter, and she will maintain and expand McCarter's relationships in NY, regionally, and abroad. Her existing company, Bisno Productions, will continue operations in Manhattan.

As Resident Producer, Ms. Bisno will work closely with Artistic Director/Resident Playwright Emily Mann in curating McCarter's Theater Series, overseeing a robust pipeline of world premieres, co-productions, and new work. She will identify strategic producing alliances - fostering regional theatre partnerships and future commercial collaborations.

Ms. Bisno brings 20 years of creative producing expertise and an extensive industry network to her position, reinforcing McCarter's history of bold new work and transfers to and from its multiple stages: the 1,072 seat Matthews Theatre, the 373-seat Roger S. Berlind Theatre, and "The Room" - an intimate 70-seat performance studio which is home to McCarter's Lab - an incubator for new plays, readings, workshops, and annual "Spotlight" production.

Ms. Bisno said: "McCarter's sophisticated approach to the artistic process - and product - is second to none. A passionate commitment to nurturing new plays, ambitious world premieres, and classical adaptations has established the theater as a premiere destination for first class talent and strategic partnerships."

With theatrical roots in Chicago and a slate of Broadway, Off Broadway and West End credits - Ms. Bisno has established a reputation as an entrepreneur and independent producer championing daring plays, cultivating actor-driven projects, and building strategic relationships across the US and in London.

Broadway producing and co-producing credits include: Terrence McNally's Mothers & Sons; Craig Wright's Grace; Annie; War Horse; HAIR; Merchant of Venice; and Speed the Plow. On the West End: Peter Nichols' Passion Play; and Menier Chocolate Factory's Merrily We Roll Along. Off Broadway, in association with the Atlantic Theatre Company, she produced the U.S. premiere of Ingmar Bergman's Through a Glass Darkly starring Carey Mulligan and directed by David Leveaux.

Prior to her commercial producing track, Ms. Bisno was the Founder & Producing Director of Roadworks Productions, a celebrated Chicago theater ensemble comprised of Northwestern University graduates formed in 1992. With residencies at Steppenwolf 's Studio & Garage spaces and at Victory Gardens Theatre, Roadworks launched over 20 Jefferson Award winning Midwest and world premieres, and garnered a reputation for daring, ensemble-driven work by established and emerging writers. Signature productions included Phyllis Nagy's Disappeared; Jim Cartwright's Road; Lanford Wilson's Serenading Louie; Kenneth Lonergan's This is Our Youth; Chuck Mee's Orestes: a Rock Musical; Howard Korder's The Lights; Patrick Marber's Dealer's Choice; Eric Bogosian's subUrbia; Mike Leigh's Ecstasy; and the original stage adaptation of John Barth's The End of the Road.

Artistic Director Emily Mann said: "I am very excited about Debbie joining us as our Resident Producer. She brings extraordinary expertise and experience in producing from both the profit and non-profit sectors and promises to be an inspiring colleague for me and the entire McCarter staff. "

Ms. Bisno continued: "Emily Mann, Tim Shields, and the exceptional McCarter team have built a formidable platform for serious theater artists - where writers, directors, actors, and designers are motivated to push boundaries, take risks - and creative collaboration among esteemed and emerging talent is at its best. I look forward to contributing to this vibrant community, and I am honored to call this prestigious institution my new artistic home."

McCarter Theatre Center's 2016/17 Theater Series will be announced in April.

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