Executive Director Of Ridgefield Playhouse To Step Down After 21 Years

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The executive director of The Ridgefield Playhouse is stepping down after 21 years.

During her tenure, Allison Stockel grew the venue from 40 shows a year to one that now presents more than 250 acts annually. She most recently shepherded a multi-million dollar capital campaign that last year created a brand-new lobby expansion, upgrades to the backstage and audio improvements in the theater. Remarkably, she accomplished everything without ever drawing a paycheck.

The Playhouse will fill Stockel's shoes with two executives, both promoted from within. Managing Director Ashley Paltauf and Artistic Director Jared Shahid have been named managing director of Operations and Development and managing director of Talent and Marketing, respectively. The pair will co-direct the venue's fortunes beginning the end of this year.

"It was important to me to promote within this organization," Stockel said in a statement. "We have so many loyal and hard-working employees that have a long history here that it only makes sense to hand the torch over to the next generation."

The Playhouse will celebrate Stockel's legacy at the Fall Gala on November 4. Tickets to the event, which will star Bernadette Peters and have lots of special guests, will go on sale to members on Sept. 6 and to the public on Sept. 9.

"Allison certainly has made a difference — she has been the ‘face and voice’ of the Ridgefield Playhouse," says Michael Shinall, president of the Ridgefield Playhouse Board of Directors, said in a statement. "The community, Playhouse patrons, artists, managers, and agents all know and respect Allison. But her legacy doesn’t stop when she leaves because she has assembled an exceptional staff, led by Paltauf and Shahid, that is fully capable of continuing the incredible work necessary to keep the Playhouse successful."