Jones Steps Down as Paper Mill Executive Director

Completing the work he was hired to do, Mark Jones has left the Paper Mill Playhouse as its executive director.

Jones, who was with the playhouse for over two years, left his position as executive director on June 24 for a new project that he has yet to disclose to the staff at the playhouse.

"No one has a bad thing to say about (Jones)," said Shayne Miller, Paper Mill spokesman. "He was hired to do a specific task. That that it's done, he's moving on."

Jones was hired after working with Shakespeare & Company in Lenox Mass. to help guide the playhouse as it worked through its difficult financial times, which included selling the property to the township in 2008. He also helped playhouse officials cut costs and secured season sponsors.

But while Jones is leaving, he did say last spring the playhouse staff still has a lot of work to do to turn the theater around. Miller acknowledged there is work to be done. "There is always work to be done," he said.

One area is contributed income. Miller said the theater did not reach its goal for the 2009-10 season, although the staff came close. But they did reach their earned income goal, which many theaters cannot say, he said.

Jones laid the foundation of the work the Paper Mill staff will carry into the future, and part of that is finding a new managing director, which will replace Jones' executive director role. Miller said an executive director was needed during the financial crisis, but most theaters operate with a dual-leadership model with an artistic director and managing director.

Mark Hoebee, Paper Mill artistic director, is operating in both roles until a managing director is hired. Hoebee also has had his title changed permanently to producing artistic director.

The Board of Trustees and Hoebee will be working together to hire a candidate for the managing director position, Miller said. They want to find someone who complements Hoebee.

But they won't be moving quickly. The summer is the perfect time for the transition because it is between seasons, Miller said. "They'll take their time to find the right person," he said.