Theater Works Hires Daniel Schay as New Executive Director

The board of directors for Theater Works in Peoria has hired the executive director of Phoenix Theater to be the new leader of the community theater organization. Daniel L. Schay will replace retiring executive director for Theater Works, Jack Lytle. Schay's start date will be February 1.

"We are very excited to have someone of his talents leading Theater Works as we grow into the one of the state's premiere adult and youth theater organizations," said Theater Works Board President Sharon Grambow.

Schay has been the executive director of Phoenix Theater since 2004, one of the largest professional theatres in the state. He helped guide a major capital fund raising program that succeeded in raising millions of dollars to match City of Phoenix funds for the construction of an additional performance space, and was a full partner in the theater's senior management team, working clo

Daniel L Schay
sely with the Board of Directors, funding organizations, and the cultural community.

"I believe that Theater Works has enormous assets of talent and community support, and has the potential to grow into a major cultural force not only in the West Valley but for the region and the state," commented Schay.

His other theater management experiences include leading the Sedona Cultural Park and Sedona Film Festival and the Philadelphia Drama Guild, a well as senior positions at theatres in Philadelphia and the Boston area. He is a graduate of Yale University in New Haven, Conn.

Theater Works is a 26-year-old non-profit organization which produces six mainstream productions annually, as well as an extensive Youth Works program of classes, workshops, and productions for young people. Founded in a West Valley barn, it has grown to occupy and manage the multi-stage Peoria Center for the Performing Arts. The center was built by the city in 2007 and is located at Peoria and Grand Avenues.

When Lytle joined the Theater Works board in 2002, the group operated out of a strip mall on 99th and Peoria avenues. He is credited with providing smart business and financial management, leading the organization into the city's $13 million facility.

The Peoria Center for the Performing Arts is a joint venture with the City of Peoria and Theater Works. Through a 20 year lease agreement, Theater Works serves as the anchor tenant and operator of the 20,000 square foot building. The Peoria Center for the Arts consists of a 280 seat main stage auditorium, an 80+ seat black box theater, classrooms, elegant lobby, dressing rooms, backstage support areas and office space for Theater Works.

Theater Works is the longest running performing theater in the West Valley. The organization was founded in September 1986 as a non-profit theater for adult and youth performances.

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