Ars Nova Announces Jeremy Blocker As First Managing Director

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) announced today that Jeremy Blocker has been named the company's first Managing Director.

Jeremy Blocker most recently served as Director of Individual Giving at Manhattan Theatre Club in New York City where he was responsible for raising 3.7 million dollars per year, nearly 20% of MTC's annual operating budget. Prior to his position at MTC, he served as Atlantic Theater Company's Development Associate for Capital Projects and as the Managing Director of Babel Theatre Project. Jeremy holds an MFA in Theatre Management and Producing from Columbia University's School of the Arts and a BA from Harvard University.

"Jeremy's development background and tremendous leadership ability will bring great value to Ars Nova and will help it grow to the next level," states Ars Nova Board President and Co- Founder Jenny Weiner Steingart. "We couldn't be more thrilled to have him as part of the Ars Nova team."

Blocker adds, "It is a great honor to be joining the stellar staff and incredible artists who make up the Ars Nova family. Ars Nova has long been an exciting laboratory for emerging artists and cutting edge work, and I am thrilled to be helping the organization develop and grow to support more of this important work."

Artistic Director Jason Eagan added, "Jeremy's past successes combined with his enthusiasm for Ars Nova's mission will help strengthen our core and expand our reach, His interest in the companies uniqueness makes him a perfect match and I'm thrilled to be taking Ars Nova's next steps together."

The company also officially announced that Director of Artistic Development Emily Shooltz was named Ars Nova's first Associate Artistic Director earlier this year.

Emily Shooltz joined Ars Nova in August 2007 and has helped develop and produce numerous productions as well as oversee Ars Nova's emerging writer's group, Play Group, and multiple artist-development programs. Prior to coming to Ars Nova, she served as the Literary Manager at Manhattan Theatre Club, where she worked on new plays by authors including Nilo Cruz, John Patrick Shanley, David Lindsay-Abaire, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Conor McPherson. She has held staff and freelance dramaturgy positions at the Wilma Theater; Center Stage, Baltimore; Chautauqua Conservatory Theater; Yale Repertory Theatre and the O'Neill Theater Center, and served on selection committees for the Kesselring and Princess Grace playwriting awards. Shooltz holds an MFA in Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism from the Yale School of Drama.

"For the past three years, Emily has been instrumental in strengthening Ars Nova's artistic programs, deepening our impact on the many artists coming through. I am so fortunate to have her on the team and it gives me great pride to be able to publicly acknowledge her tremendous contribution," stated Eagan.

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