Bradshaw to Step Down as Managing Director of Seattle Shakespeare Company

Today the Seattle Shakespeare Company Board of Directors announced that the company's Managing Director John Bradshaw would be stepping away from the organization to take on a leadership role in fundraising at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Woodinville, WA. Bradshaw, who has been at the management helm of Seattle Shakespeare Company since 2004, leaves at a time when subscriptions for the theatre are at an all-time high during a season with record-breaking ticket sales.

"Saddened as I am about John's leaving, I know he is making a choice that is best for him," said Seattle Shakespeare Company's Board of Directors Chairman Phil Miller. "We have been so very blessed with John's leadership during his time with the theatre and we all have nothing but warm wishes for him as he embarks on this new endeavor."

During Bradshaw's tenure as Managing Director of Seattle Shakespeare Company, he oversaw the financial management that led the company to nine straight years of operating in the black with balanced budgets and retired a long-term debt. He spearheaded the merger with Wooden O that helped move the company to year-round operations with both indoor and outdoor performances. Under his guidance the reach of the company's work expanded across the state through touring productions and extensions of the main stage and Wooden O shows. His work with funders to secure major multi-year grants aided in the stabilization and fueled the growth of the company.

The Board of Directors is preparing an interim management plan to be in place prior to Bradshaw's departure on March 18 and expect to have a permanent plan in place by the start of the company's fiscal year on July 1, 2011.