FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2011
Media Contact: Sarah Pressler
240.644.1387
press@roundhousetheatre.org
Blake Robison announces his final season
as Producing Artistic Director
of Round House Theatre
Accepts Artistic Director position with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
(Bethesda, MD) On October 26, 2011, Blake Robison announced to the Round House Theatre Board of Trustees that the current 2011/12 Season will be his final one as Producing Artistic Director of the organization. He has accepted the position of Artistic Director of the Tony Award-winning Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.
“I think the best thing a leader can do is to help people take a fresh look at an institution that they think they already know. Seven years ago, I set out to do just that, hand in hand with Round House’s committed Board and talented staff. We’ve taken some chances together – producing more world premieres, commissioning local playwrights, carving out a more literary identity, and opening our facilities to a bunch of hungry and creative emerging artists. Round House is stronger than ever because of this experimentation. I’m confident that a new person will build on this foundation and take the organization to greater heights.” said Robison. “During the coming year, it will be business as usual as I continue to direct, oversee Round House productions, and manage operations.”
Sally J. Patterson, President of the Round House Theatre Board of Trustees, commended Robison on his leadership of the company. “Blake has guided Round House Theatre through a series of milestones and solidified our position as an artistic force in the DC metro region.” Patterson said. “I have no doubt that Round House is stronger than ever, both artistically and organizationally. Blake has brought us the best actors, artisans, and directors and inspired a talented, generous, and dedicated staff and Board.”
Seven Seasons at Round House Theatre
In seven seasons at Round House, Robison has presided over a period of artistic accomplishment focusing on new plays and adaptations of literary classics. The company’s acclaimed Literary Works Project features new adaptations of contemporary and classical novels, re-interpreted through a theatrical prism for today’s audiences. Since his arrival, Round House has produced six world premieres (The Book Club Play, How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Alice, A Murder, A Mystery & A Marriage, and his own adaptation of Alice McDermott’s Charming Billy) and two American premieres (The Talented Mr. Ripley and Camille). Other highlights have included hugely successful productions of Nixon’s Nixon, Amadeus, My Name is Asher Lev, A Year With Frog & Toad, Treasure Island, and A Prayer for Owen Meany among others. Last season, Round House partnered with Cleveland Play House to co-produce the first African-American cast production of Horton Foote’s The Trip to Bountiful.
Robison has taken an expansive view of Round House as an artistic home for emerging artists and new companies. He established Forum Theatre and Contradiction Dance as companies-in-residence at Round House Silver Spring, launched the “Kitchen” program to provide free rehearsal space to area artists, and forged ongoing relationships with a diverse collection of partner organizations to perform regularly in the company’s black box theatre.
Organizationally, Robison has presided over a period of stabilization and fiscal responsibility. Overall ticket sales and enrollment in Round House’s acclaimed education programs have increased throughout his tenure. The company’s recent move to a new administrative and rehearsal space in downtown Silver Spring’s Civic Building has expanded its programming through free activities and community outreach. Financially, Robison leaves Round House with an annual operating budget of $5.2 Million, a modest cash reserve, and no long-term debt.
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
At Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Robison will replace longtime Artistic Director, Ed Stern, who has run the institution for 20 years. During this period, the Playhouse has enjoyed Tony Awards for Outstanding Regional Theatre and for its celebrated Broadway transfer of Steven Sondheim’s Company, directed by John Doyle. The Playhouse is one of the largest and most successful theaters in the country. With an annual operating budget of $10 Million, it produces 11 productions per year in its 626-seat Marx Theatre and 225-seat Shelterhouse Theatre for 200,000 people annually, with a robust subscription base of 15,000 patrons.
New Leadership
Sally Patterson, Board President of Round House Theatre, has announced the formation of a search committee to identify Robison’s successor. She stated, “Round House has a well-deserved regional and national reputation for excellence in professional theatre and arts education. Our new leader will find a vibrant institution, a committed Board, a loyal audience, and a tremendous appetite for imaginative programming on our stages.”
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