Laura Lee Named New Managing Director of ArtsWest Playhouse

ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery has announced the appointment of Laura Lee as Managing Director. Laura has served as Interim Managing Director since April 2013 and this announcement marks the next step in solidifying ArtsWest leadership.

"We are very pleased to be able to announce that Laura has accepted our offer to be our Managing Director," shares Dawn Leverett, the ArtsWest Board President. "In the time that Laura has been serving as our Interim Managing Director and providing us with strategic and marketing support, we have experienced unprecedented growth. We have exceeded ticket and revenue goals for every production on our stage, hosted a record-setting annual Gala, reversed our projected deficit to end our year with a modest gain, and have started on a path of rebranding and identity strengthening. But what Laura brings to us is more than just box office successes and fundraising, she has re-energized our staff, Board and even our physical spaces. Her light and focus are leading us into a new era and we are excited for all the changes that are taking place."

"I am so thrilled to be ArtsWest's Managing Director," Lee adds. "This is a time of maturity and growth for ArtsWest and I have a firm vision as we move forward. Respecting the past, living in the moment and looking ahead to the future, we are solidifying our niche in the Seattle theatre community and reaching outwards to be good business stewards in West Seattle and beyond. We are in the midst of an extensive rebranding effort and there are many exciting changes underway. We are on the cusp of turning something good into something great. I invite you to stay with us as a stronger, more contemporary mission-driven ArtsWest unfolds."

Prior to her time at ArtsWest, Lee founded Production Sports, a sports promotion/Production Company that has worked with U.S. Figure Skating, USA Gymnastics and the Seattle Sports Commission to bring elite, international, televised events to the Pacific Northwest. Providing logistical, sponsorship, marketing, PR, media and volunteer assistance to these national governing body of sports and their events, such as the Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships and Skate America, Lee has broken ticket and revenue records, bringing millions of dollars of economic support to the Puget Sound region. A passionate supporter of theatre and the arts in her personal life, Lee has also served on non-profit Boards for the past 28 years. She is the mother of four children and is happy to let her kids lead her down roads she would not have traveled.

ArtsWest's marquee has been dark since mid-August but will reopen as the mainstage season gets underway on October 2nd with the Co-World Premiere of Lauren Gunderson'sTHE TAMING. Dishing up a good 'ole heaping of Southern fried politics, THE TAMINGtakes on America's overheated bombastic political arena, upends the historical truths of our Founding Fathers and plays with the passions of three wacky women who may well be revolutionary geniuses in disguise. Hey, y'all - let's talk. Politics are hot - southern hot. October 2nd - 19th, 2013, Tickets at www.artswest.org or by phone 206.938.0339. The public box office re-opens September 26th - Thursdays and Fridays1-7:30pm and Saturdays - 1:30 -7:30pm. Note: ages 14+ - scantily clad females, strong language, and adult situations.

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