Old Globe's Board of Directors Confirms Dual Leadership Structure

The Old Globe's Board of Directors today named Michael G. Murphy as Managing Director. Murphy was appointed Interim Managing Director in October 2011 after the resignation of CEO/Executive Producer Louis G. Spisto, who oversaw both the artistic and administrative operations of the theatre.

As previously announced, executive search firm AlbertHall&Associates has been retained to conduct a nationwide search to identify artistic leadership for the company. The Globe's Transition Committee, chaired by board Vice Chair Elaine Bennett Darwin, will continue to work closely with the firm to enlist an Artistic Director. The Old Globe intends to engage the successful candidate by late Summer/Fall of 2012 with residency at the theatre to commence as soon thereafter as practical.

Board Chair Harold W. Fuson Jr. stated, "The board's initial decision to appoint Michael to the Managing Director position on an interim basis was made to provide the board with the necessary time to determine the appropriate leadership structure for the Globe. That question has been resolved in favor of returning to the dual leadership structure common to most regional theaters, engaging both a Managing Director and an Artistic Director who report jointly to the Board of Directors."

Fuson continued. "For nine years Michael has been an integral part of the Globe's management team and supervised a large part of the theatre's operation. The Board is pleased to secure Michael's talents and views his presence as an important factor in attracting the best artistic director candidates."

Managing Director Michael G. Murphy commented, "I'm honored to continue to work with the extraordinarily talented staff of The Old Globe. I look forward to joining with a new Artistic Director to build upon the legacy of great theatre developed by Craig Noel, Jack O'Brien, Tom Hall and Lou Spisto. I am fortunate to live and work in a community that understands the value of the arts and I am grateful for the continued support of our amazing audiences, board of directors, volunteers and generous donors."

Michael G. Murphy has been the General Manager at The Old Globe since 2003, overseeing the Production, Education, Human Resources, Information Technology and Facilities Departments, as well as Front of House operations. He also managed the construction of the Globe's new theatre and education facilities. Prior to the Globe, he was the Managing Director of Austin Lyric Opera in Austin, Texas, Director of Administration of San Diego Opera and General Manager of San Diego Repertory Theatre. Before relocating to San Diego from New York, he held similar positions at Theatre for a New Audience and The Joyce Theater Foundation's American Theater Exchange. He also served as negotiating assistant for the League of Resident Theatres and sales representative for Columbia Artists Theatricals Corporation. Murphy has served on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Performing Arts League and serves as a Management Trustee for San Diego County Theatrical Trusts, the pension and welfare trust for IATSE stagehands in the San Diego region. He was also an adjunct faculty member of the Music Department at the University of San Diego. Murphy earned his B.F.A. degree in Stage Management from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri and his M.F.A. in Performing Arts Management from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York.

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