Ehlshlager, originally of Roanoke, VA, comes to DTC with over 15 years of leadership experience within some of America's largest and most notable regional theatres, including the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis; Arena Stage in Washington, DC; and New York's Roundabout Theatre Company and Pearl Theatre Company.

"We are proud to appoint Mary Ann as our new managing director," stated the theatre's new board chair Michael Marquardt. "We conducted a national search and, due to her experience and track record, she immediately rose to the top of the candidates. We are confident that with the addition of Mary Ann, along with the theatre's experienced existing staff, we will be in a strong position to meet our goals over the coming year and beyond."

While most professional regional theatres in America operate with both a managing director and an artistic director, Wilmington's DTC combined the positions in 2004, creating the producing director position filled by Anne Marie Cammarato. After success and growth in artistic and administrative areas, the staff structure will return to a dual leadership model, with Cammarato as artistic director and Ehlshlager as managing director. As artistic director, Cammarato "will provide vision and direction for all work pertaining to programming, artistic staffing, production activities and education and outreach activities." She'll oversee all administrative efforts, including fundraising, marketing, front-of-house and financial management.

Ehlshlager most recently served as the first producing director of the Off-Broadway Pearl Theatre Company, which offers a classical repertoire performed by a resident acting company. In New York City, she also worked with the Roundabout Theatre Company, as theatre manager of Broadway's Studio 54.

Ehlshlager also served as project manager for the Guthrie Theatre's new three-theatre complex in Minneapolis. "I feel fortunate to be joining DTC at this particular time," she stated. "The upcoming season marks 30 years of sustained artistic strength and DTC's commitment to premiering new work along with classic and contemporary plays. This ensures that DTC is looking to the future as well as building upon the strengths of the past. I look forward to working with the Board, staff and our many partners to bring that same balance to our administrative efforts and to enhancing our institutional capacity and reach."

The 2008-09 DTC season includes "Master Harold"…and the boys, No Child…, Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Copenhagen, plus a fifth show to be announced.

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