Ensemble Studio Theatre Sarah McLellan as New Executive Director

Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) (William Carden, Artistic Director) announced today that Sarah McLellan will assume the role of Executive Director of Ensemble Studio Theatre beginning March 5, 2018. Current Executive Director Paul Slee will depart the company after 10 years.

"As a long-time admirer of EST's artistic tradition and legacy, I am thrilled and honored to partner with Billy and the phenomenal EST Board and staff," said Sarah McLellan. "The driving inspiration of my professional life has been to support and nurture adventurous, risk-taking art and the artists who create it. I can't think of a better institution than EST to make an impact on the future of the American theater, and to support the artists who make that future a reality."

McLellan comes to EST from the downtown theater company Clubbed Thumb where she served as Managing Director since 2014 and oversaw a period of historic organizational growth that included the 2016 production of Men on Boats, co-produced with Playwrights Horizons. Prior to Clubbed Thumb, she was the Assistant Administrative Director of the Juilliard Drama Division, Artistic and Management Programs Associate at Theatre Communications Group, and spent four years coordinating the Apprentice and Workshop programs at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Sarah was a participant in the Juilliard Professional Intern Program and is a member of the NYFA Emerging Leaders Bootcamp. She received a BA from Sarah Lawrence College, where she focused on theater production and administration.

"It's been a pleasure and a privilege to serve as Executive Director of Ensemble Studio Theatre since June 2007," said Paul Slee. "I'm deeply grateful to Billy and to my staff colleagues, and to the Board of Directors and legions of EST artists and patrons, for all that we've accomplished together to build a stronger company and bring so many wonderful new plays to life. I look forward to returning often to see what's next, and to experience the new theater space when it's built. I am so proud to have played this role for so long, and I wish much success to Sarah McLellan as she embarks on this forever new adventure in theatre."

"It's hard to imagine where we would be today without Paul Slee," said Artistic Director William Carden. "In his 11 years we have moved from an organization that was teetering on the brink of collapse with over a million dollars in debt to a company that is debt free and making a significant contribution to theatre in this country. As a result, during Paul's tenure EST received a special Obie Award for our Youngblood Program and a Special Drama Desk Award. Due to the fundraising leadership of Paul we are beginning construction for a new theatre on the first floor along with a total renovation of our second floor. His impact has been profound and will be long lasting."

"We are also ready to embrace this opportunity for change and feel so lucky to have found Sarah McLellan who will be bringing a new generation of leadership to EST. In managing another theatre for the last four years she has proved herself to be an inspired advocate and leader who shares our passion for developing artists and new work. She is a skilled administrator who has a fierce tenacity coupled with a generous spirit and we are looking forward to her bringing new energy and fresh ideas as we enter our 50th year and this exciting new chapter in our ongoing story."

Currently on stage at EST's Curt Dempster Theatre (549 W 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019) is Sylvia Khoury's AGAINST THE HILLSIDE, which began performances on January 31, 2018 and opened on February 8, for a limited run through February 25, 2018. Abby Rosebrock's DIDO OF IDAHO will follow with performances beginning on March 14, 2018. DIDO OF IDAHO has an opening night set for March 22, 2018 with a limited run through April 8, 2018. The spring season will conclude with Chiara Atik's BUMP, presented in partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Performances begin on May 9, 2018, with opening night set for May 17, 2018 and a limited run through June 4, 2018. Tickets for all three World Premieres can be purchased at www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org.

ABOUT Ensemble Studio Theatre

Ensemble Studio Theatre - commonly known as EST- was founded in 1968 by Curt Dempster on the belief that extraordinary support yields extraordinary work. They are a dynamic and expanding family of member artists committed to the discovery and nurturing of new voices and the continued support and growth of artists throughout their creative lives. Through their unique collaborative process, they develop and produce original, provocative, and authentic new plays that engage and challenge their audience and audiences across the country.

Now with over 600 ensemble artists, EST has been under the artistic direction of William Carden since 2007. The company received two 2017 Drama Desk Award nominations for Where Did We Sit on the Bus? by Brian Quijada and one 2014 Drama Desk nomination for Bobby Moreno in Year of the Rooster by Olivia Dufault, who won the 2014 NY Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award for a new playwright debut. Hand To God, which originated at EST, was nominated for five Tony Awards for its Broadway run. EST received a special Drama Desk Award for its "unwavering commitment to producing new works" in May of 2015.

To post a comment, you must register and login.