The hits just keep on coming for the American Players Theatre in Spring Green, recently called the best classical repertory theater company in the country.
Now, the company has announced that Carrie Van Hallgren, a highly respected theater administrator, will become the new managing director of the 35-year-old company. The Platteville native will take over the administrative side on Jan. 1, teaming up with new artistic director Brenda DeVita.
Both women will replace David Frank who is retiring after a 30-year run that took APT from a small Madison diversion to a true national powerhouse.
Van Hallgren has a strong background in classical theater, having been managing director of Milwaukee Shakespeare and interim general manager at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. At Yale Repertory Theatre, Van Hallgren served as both associate managing director and company manager. While also at Yale, she completed her management fellowship under the mentorship of Barry Grove at Manhattan Theatre Club during the company’s Tony Award winning 2005 season.
"We were looking for someone very special to be the new managing leader of APT, and we believe we have found that in Carrie Van Hallgren," said Barbara Swan, president of APT’s Board of Directors.
"Carrie grew up in the area and was in a sense raised on APT’s work as well of that of the Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival. APT helped to develop her love of Shakespeare and theater and set her on a path to become the talented and experienced theater professional that she is. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring her back to the area and to APT."
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