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59E59 Theaters Announces Leadership Transition

Artistic director Elysabeth Kleinhans and executive producer Peter Tear will leave their posts in May. Val Day will be the new artistic director.

NEW YORK CITY: 59E59 Theaters has announced that artistic director Elysabeth Kleinhans and executive producer Peter Tear will be stepping down from their posts in May. Val Day, a longtime agent with William Morris Endeavor and ICM, has been appointed the new artistic director.

Val Day. (Photo by Travis Ruse)
Val Day. (Photo by Travis Ruse)

“With the selection of our new artistic director, 59E59 Theaters moves to a new phase as we complete the planned transition from the founding team to a traditional theatre management structure, begun in 2012 with the appointment of Brian Beirne as managing director,” said Kleinhans in a statement.

On May 7, Kleinhans will step down from her role as artistic director. She will continue to serve as president of the board of directors, and take the title of founding artistic director for the Elysabeth Kleinhans Theatrical Foundation.

Tear will guide the transition of artistic leadership at the theatre through May 7. He will go on to pursue commercial producing projects and consulting. His position will not be replaced.

“It is an immense honor to be joining the talented team at 59E59,” said Day in a statement. “I am so gratified to be working within the unique presenting model that Elysabeth and Peter have created. The level of support they provide to other nonprofits is unusually generous and provides exposure to a broad range of theatres and artists who would otherwise not be able to afford the substantial costs of producing in NYC.”

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