Atlantic's Andrew Hamingson Named Executive Director of the Public Theater

Atlantic Theater Company Managing Director Andrew Hamingson has been appointed the new Executive Director of The Public Theater, effective October 1, 2008. Hamingson replaces former executive director Mara Manus, who announced in April that she would be stepping down after six years in the position. Hamingson will work alongside Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of the Public.

"The search committee did an extensive search for Ms. Manus' replacement and we unanimously chose Andrew Hamingson from a field of extraordinary candidates for his strong leadership abilities, successful fundraising experience and deep commitment to the American theater," Warren Spector, chairman of the board of the Public, said in a statement.

Eustis added, "Throughout this rigorous and highly competitive search process, [Hamingson's] intelligence, passion and integrity made a deep impression on me and on all the Board members. His love of theater and his humanity are also apparent to anyone who spends time with him, and I am certain that we can achieve great things for The Public Theater. It is a good day on Astor Place.”

Hamingson called his new job "the fulfillment of a life-long dream." A former Director of Development and longtime employee of the Manhattan Theatre Club, Hamingson signed on with Atlantic in August 2004. In addition to overseeing the planning and construction of Atlantic's new $6 million theater complex on West 16th Street, Hamingson acted as part of the production team which transferred Atlantic's hit Spring Awakening and The Lieutenant of Inishmore to Broadway.