Diversionary Theatre Announces John Alexander as New Executive Director

The Board of Trustees of Diversionary Theatre are pleased to announce the appointment of John E. Alexander as Diversionary's new Executive Director.

"John's passion and experience in theatre and his proven leadership in taking nonprofit organizations to the next level of development provide the exact combination for fostering our growth and sustainability,¨ said Matthew Thomason, Co-President of the Board of Trustees. Board Co-President Mary Stockton added, "We are excited about John's energy and creativity that will build on what departing Executive & Artistic Director Dan Kirsch has done for Diversionary, and take us to the next level of Diversionary's artistic vision.¨ Alexander will be responsible for all fundraising programs for the theatre, and for the artistic planning and vision. Alexander has already been working with Kirsch to plan the 2011-2012 season.

Diversionary Theatre was started in 1986 and is celebrating its 25th Anniversary during the 2010-2011 season. The mission of the Theatre is to produce plays with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender themes that portray characters in their complexity and diversity both historically and contemporarily. The anniversary season included [title of show], Sextet, Anita Bryant Died For Your Sins, Fair Use, ...And Then I Wrote a Song About It and the upcoming world premiere of Dooley. Diversionary is a member of Theatre Communication Group (TCG), the national organization for American Theatre.

Alexander comes to Diversionary after two years as the Managing Director of Naked Angels, an Off-Broadway company that develops and produces provocative new work that focuses on socially relevant issues. While at Naked Angels, Alexander led the organization through major growth highlighted by the Broadway transfer of the Tony-nominated Next Fall and the critically-acclaimed Off-Broadway production of This Wide Night starring Edie Falco and Alison Pill. "I'm thrilled and honored to be joining Diversionary at this exciting time for the Theatre. To be able to return to San Diego as part of this amazing company and thriving theatre community is a dream come true,¨ said Alexander of his appointment.

Alexander's prior theatre experience includes Director of External Relations at North Shore Music Theatre (Boston), where he oversaw marketing, PR, fund raising and the redevelopment of the company's landmark facilities; Associate Director of Development at The Old Globe (San Diego); Director of Development for San Diego Performing Arts League; as well as marketing, development and general management projects at Pasadena Playhouse (Los Angeles), Roundabout Theatre Company (New York), and Daryl Roth Productions (New York). He was also involved in building Mama's Kitchen, San Diego's meal delivery service for people with AIDS and cancer as the organization's first Executive Director. Alexander earned a BA in Political Science from University of California-San Diego and an MFA in Theatre Management and Producing from Columbia University.

Alexander is slated to start in mid-July. Executive and Artistic Director Dan Kirsch has completed his duties after a six-year tenure. Kirsch will spend the summer as the General Manager for Serenbe Playhouse, a theatre committed to producing artistically rich, open-air theatrical performances for audiences throughout the Greater Metro area of Atlanta. In the interim, Gigi Cantin will assume Executive Director duties. Cantin started her Arts Management career working for the theatrical presenters, Nederlander of California: Los Angeles. After a move to San Diego she spent seven years at the Tony Award winning La Jolla Playhouse - the first five years as the Marketing Manager and two years as the Annual Fund Manager. Cantin holds a MA in Public Art Administration from the University of Southern California and BA in Public Administration from California State University, Los Angeles. She has been working with Diversionary over the past couple of months as the community partnership coordinator for the upcoming world premiere of Dooley.

Alexander will be introduced to the community at Diversionary's Annual Season Announcement GArden Party on Saturday, April 16. The GArden Party will be held at the home of Peter Dennehy and Tim Jackson in the Kensington area from 4:30 to 6:30pm. GArden Party guests will be treated to garden-themed food and drink. Proceeds from this "fun-raising¨ event will benefit the artistic programs of the theatre. Tickets for the event are $40 in advance and $50 day of event. Tickets are available through the Box Office and online at www.diversionary.org or by calling 619.220.0097.

The process for recruiting Diversionary's new executive director began in December, when the Board of Trustees formed a search committee and contracted the services of Phyllis Quan, an executive search consultant specializing in non-profits. The Executive Director is responsible for all fundraising programs and artistic planning and vision, plus direction of strategic planning, financial management, marketing, audience development, educational outreach supervision of staff. Managing Director Bret Young and Patron Services Manager Travis Guss, both long-time staff members whose professionalism and expertise have contributed to the growth and success of the Theatre, are looking forward to working with Alexander.

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