Experienced theater administrator joins in March

The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (HVSF) announces the appointment of Kate Liberman as its new managing director. Reporting to HVSF’s Board of Directors, and working in partnership with Artistic Director Davis McCallum, Liberman will be responsible for all administrative and operational aspects of HVSF’s activities.

Kate Liberman
Kate Liberman

With an MFA in theater management from the Yale School of Drama and an MBA from the Yale School of Management, Liberman has devoted her career to theater administration, serving Yale Repertory Theatre as associate managing director, Berkeley Repertory Theatre as a managing director fellow, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as assistant manager in development.

She is currently general manager of the Laguna Playhouse, a $4.5 million regional theater in Laguna Beach, California, which is entering its 95th season. Liberman will join HVSF in March.

Robin Arditi, president of the HVSF Board, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kate as our new managing director. She is an exciting new leader in the field of theater administration, with great energy, intelligence, and commitment to HVSF’s mission and the power of theater to enrich our lives and build community. Her experience, training and consistently high record of achievement convinced us that she will be a superb partner to Davis in leading HVSF in its next phase of development.”

On accepting the position, Liberman said: “This is a remarkable organization that engages the community, young artists, and students through its dynamic productions and impactful theater education programs. I look forward to contributing to and continuing the wonderful work that has defined HVSF for the last 28 years.”

Liberman succeeds Maggie Whitlum, who left HVSF in the fall to return to England with her husband, who took up a post at Oxford University. Since then, the HVSF administrative staff has been led by Jared Goldstein as interim managing director and Mona Smith as deputy interim managing director.

Arditi said, “The Board is deeply appreciative of the staff’s exemplary teamwork during this transition period, as they executed our sold-out ‘second stage’ productions during the fall, planned for our diverse and innovative in-school education programs, and set the stage for what promises to be a terrific 2015 summer season.”

HVSF’s 2015 summer season opens June 9 and continues through Sept. 1. Online ordering for the 2015 season begins March 1, and the box office opens May 19. For more information about tickets and shows, visit hvshakespeare.org.

Photo courtesy of HVSF

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