Ashland, Ore.--The Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Producing Director David A. Dreyfoos has been appointed managing director of the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Virginia. He will begin his responsibilities on January 21, 2008.
Dreyfoos has been with OSF for 11 years, appointed to his position by former OSF Artistic Director Libby Appel (1995-2007). As Producing Director Dreyfoos managed an annual budget of $6 million and oversaw OSF's day-to-day artistic operations, created the festival's repertory calendar and served on all decision-making committees.
"David Dreyfoos came to OSF from Indiana Repertory Theatre where we worked together for 4 years," Appel said. "I knew that his special combination of organizational brilliance, his deeply compassionate nature and his sheer love of theater would be just perfect for us. He was a truly outstanding Producing Director with a hand in every aspect of the company and each of our productions. His new position as Managing Director of American Shakespeare Center is a perfect move forward for David. He will bring them the same kind of excellent work ethic that he shared so generously with us."
OSF's Executive Director Paul Nicholson added: "David has been the consummate professional. He has brought passion and care to every element of his work at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, whether it be the creation of the performance schedule, the negotiations with actors, the response to the million and one surprises that emerge each season, or his work on the Daedalus project. I have loved working with him for the last ten years and feel proud that his experience here has led him to become the leader of his own theatre. I know he will help them enormously. And I know we will miss him enormously."
At American Shakespeare Center, Dreyfoos, the chief administrative and financial officer of the organization, will oversee finance, marketing, development and other business management functions of the $3 million Equity theater company and education center located in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2008, the American Shakespeare Center has a $3 million dollar annual budget and puts on more than 500 performances at the Blackfriar's Playhouse in Staunton, VA, and at various locations around the United States, alongside an extensive program of educational offerings for children and adults.
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