Laguna Playhouse Flourishes Under Female Leaders

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — On the heels of the annual Gala and the recent kick-off of the Laguna Playhouse' 99th season Executive Director Ellen Richard and Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham continue to see growth and success. Their passion for theater and community is a common thread and bond they share.

Richard and Wareham were both raised the same way in the theater, mainly in nonprofit resident theaters, along the way pioneering paths and changing the landscape for the better.

Richard joined Laguna Playhouse as Executive Director in 2016 after serving as Executive Director of the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) in San Francisco, Second Stage Theatre in New York City, and Managing Director at Roundabout Theatre Company, which she helped grow from near bankruptcy to one of the most successful theater companies with net assets over $67 million.

Wareham worked for 27 years as a producing partner and Producing Associate to Gordon
Davidson at Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, one of the largest resident theater groups in the country, before joining the Playhouse in 2010 as Associate Producer and serving as Artistic Director since August 2011.

The two approach the work in the same way, which adds to their symbiosis.

"We have a really great working relationship. We're able to be open and honest with each other. We have a lot of the same taste in shows and similar sensibility, which makes it easier to make decisions," Richard said. "In the end, by being able to have open discussions, you end up with a better product."

Lauren Simon of Bare Bones Theatre said, "Executive leadership in nonprofit theatres is
Undergoing a transition, and while still a significant minority, there are more women like Ellen and Annie at the helm of American theatres now than ever before. My hope is that having more women in power will result in more stories about underrepresented people on stage.

Bare Bones new play readings offers Playhouse patrons an opportunity to see more of these stories in an intimate setting, and I'm grateful to Ellen, Annie and the Playhouse Board for welcoming us into the fold."

Between Richard and Wareham, they have 80 years of professional producing experience in the theater.

"That should make anyone who supports the Playhouse feel confident that we know what we're doing," Wareham said. "Our job is to bring to the Playhouse work that resonates with this community and the community beyond Laguna Beach that supports us. That's our job to bring first-class theater. And that's what we attempt to do with every show."

"We produce with theatres all over the country, and It is an absolute pleasure working with Ellen Richard, Ann Wareham, and the entire team at the Playhouse. After five years of partnering with them on our holiday Pantos, it was an easy decision where we wanted to premier our new musical 'To Sir, With Love,'" said Kris Lythgoe, Owner and Producer of Lythgoe Family Panto.

Collectively the duo has produced hundreds if not a thousand shows spanning their esteemed careers. Over the years, the successes are many, including six Tony Awards as a producer for Richard for Cabaret (1998), A View From the Bridge (1998), Side Man (1999), Nine (2003), Assassins (2004) and Glengarry Glen Ross (2005).

"I've had this pretty terrific career that drives across the country from New York and Broadway to not for profit in San Francisco," Richard said. "I have a broad perspective of how institutional theater works. I am able to leverage my decades of experience, including successes and misses to benefit the Laguna Playhouse."

The Playhouse has seen a tremendous increase in the last three years. The budget has grown from 5.5 to 7 million and has grown from 3,000 to 5,000 subscribers.

"I would like to see that growth keep happening," Richard said.
"I think we have a lot of potential here to expand and bring in a wider and more diverse audience that we serve."

It wouldn't have happened without one of the Playhouse's major board members Lisa Hale, who generously decided to underwrite the next two seasons.

"She did that, it's paid, it has worked. We did bigger shows, we did a broader scope of shows, and more people have come, so if it weren't for her, I could have all the dreams in the world," Richard said. "She gave us that seed capital to make it happen."

During her three-year tenure at the Playhouse, Richard said she's grown the subscription base, increasing the budget size, and doing an exterior renovation of the theater.

"The other thing we've done is try to span and focus on communities and including them in our audience," Richard said. "We're trying to see more opportunity for people and community here at the theater."

Their focus includes reaching out to people in the community, at schools, people with disabilities, military families, veterans, more students, students in need, and senior citizens.

"It's not that transparent when you come and see a show," Richard said. "You don't see the other parts that are going on to the other communities that we serve. We would love to see more people included in that, and we would love to see more support for it too because the sky is the limit. The more money that we can raise the more we can do for the community. I would love to have more people learn about that."

Their work is not going unnoticed; they are well-appreciated in the community.

"Fantastic dynamic duo...creative and accomplished with an understanding of how to build an audience...we are blessed to have a wonderful Equity theatre with Laguna Playhouse," Pat Kollenda said.

Wareham added, "Laguna Beach is a very special place to be and I am aware of that every day. I live in gratitude for that and for the people who make this community as special as it is. It's a pleasure and an honor to serve this community."

For more information about Laguna Playhouse, its programs, or to learn more about the upcoming 99th season, please visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com .