A six-month search for the successors of ATF founders Martha Banta and David Turner lured 130 applicants.

Fleischer will be introduced to ATF's opening night audience at tick, tick…BOOM! on July 20 at 8 PM. He'll be in Glens Falls, NY, attending subsequent performances through July 25.

Fleischer is a director, educator and producer who currently resides in Chicago where he is a freelance director and obtained his graduate degree from The Theatre School at DePaul University. Prior to moving to Chicago, Fleischer ran Plano Repertory Theater in Plano, TX, for nine years, where he was responsible for all artistic and administrative areas.

During his tenure there PRT grew from a community theatre with a $150,000 budget and 538 subscribers to a professional company operating under an Actors' Equity Association contract with a budget of $750,000 and 3,000 subscribers.

While in Chicago he worked on projects at DePaul as well as the Goodman Theater and Victory Gardens. "I think as everyone in our community and region gets to know Mark they will be as thrilled as we are that he has agreed to lead this company into its next chapter," stated ATF board president David J. King. "Mark's combination of a strong artistic vision for theatre which is bold and enriching, along with his track record for growth and community service in Plano, was a combination which spoke strongly to our Search Committee and Board."

Fleischer will begin his contract with ATF on Nov. 5, 2007, and will be in Glens Falls monthly, remaining based in Chicago this winter while his wife Anne finishes her advanced degree.

"The people and the mission at ATF are what make this an exciting opportunity," stated Fleischer. "ATF is such a unique theatre — not only for the region, but also for the country. There are very few summer theatres which are committed to fully producing new and contemporary work. David Turner and Martha Banta have created such a strong foundation for growth. I know that the heart of ATF's success has been the support and involvement of the people of the Glens Falls region and I am looking forward to getting to know the community and region when I arrive in November."

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The Adirondack Theatre Festival's 13th season concludes with tick, tick…BOOM!, now through July 28 at the Charles R. Wood Theater, 207 Glen St. in downtown Glens Falls. Tickets are $28, with $9 rush tickets available for ages 23 and under the day of the show.

For information, call (518) 798-WOOD or visit www.ATFestival.org.