Shakespeare Dallas announces new Executive Director

by PegNews wire

Raphael Parry will take on yet another role with the company.

Shakespeare Dallas announced today that Raphael Parry has been named the theater company’s new executive director. He also will continue in his role as producing artistic director, now overseeing all operational functions and artistic programming for one of Dallas’ most successful theater companies. Parry has been with Shakespeare Dallas since 2002, and has recently served as both interim executive director and producing artistic director. Parry has directed several plays for Shakespeare Dallas, including the critically-acclaimed Romeo & Juliet, The Tempest, Hamlet and The Winter’s Tale.

Just as importantly, Mr. Parry has long played a leading role in the strategic direction of the company, assisting with the development of the company’s debt relief plan, overseeing expanded cultural programming, and helping the company develop partnerships with a wide variety of corporate and community stakeholders. In June 2007, he helped engineer a “Rain Campaign” that was the most successful fundraising effort of its kind in the 37-year history of the company. The campaign helped offset more than $50,000 in lost revenue due to the summer storm season.

“Few people in Dallas’ arts community are as accomplished and visionary as Raphael Parry,” said Rob House, Shakespeare Dallas Board President. “Raphael has the experience and ability to help Shakespeare Dallas become one of the most preeminent arts organizations in the Southwest. Under his direction, we look forward to developing an exciting blueprint for the future.”

Parry has been serving as interim executive director since Sandra Greenway stepped down in November. Prior to joining the Shakespeare Dallas staff, Parry co-founded and served as co-artistic director of Undermain Theatre in Dallas. During his 15-year tenure at the Undermain, Parry directed and acted in more than 40 productions. One of the most highly recognized arts leaders in North Texas, he has been a recipient of citations from the Dallas Theatre Critics’ Forum and the Leon Rabin Awards. He was also recognized for his ongoing contributions to the theatrical scene with the Dallas Theatre League – Standing Ovation Award in the fall of 2006.

“I look forward to working with our leadership team, corporate supporters and artistic friends to benefit Shakespeare Dallas and its audiences,” said Parry. “With new supporters and a refined financial management plan, this company is poised for an extraordinary future. We plan to deliver every day on the promise of making live theater accessible to all – and making a lasting impression on the communities we serve.”

Shakespeare Dallas’ 2008 season will feature Othello and All’s Well That End’s Well in the blockbuster months of June and July. In addition, Shakespeare Dallas will perform its’ fall play, The Merchant of Venice, in Dallas, Addison and – for the first time ever – Denton, as part of a new partnership with the University of North Texas. Beginning next month, Shakespeare Dallas will bring All the World’s a Stage to elementary schools across Dallas, introducing students to the works of Shakespeare.

Posted by Shawn