The Vineyard Theatre has announced that executive producer/CEO Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell will depart at the end of September to pursue new career opportunities. Garvey-Blackwell started at the Off-Broadway theatre in 1997, with her departure marking the conclusion of an almost 20-year tenure.
“I am grateful to our Founder Barbara Zinn Krieger for bringing me into this company and giving me opportunities to grow with it, and to our Board of Directors for their support and guidance. I am particularly grateful to our Artistic Directors Doug Aibel and Sarah Stern for our many years of partnership and collaboration,” said Garvey-Blackwell in a press statement. “I am also deeply grateful for the opportunity to have led a top notch staff through the years that have helped me to create a supportive, open and welcoming home for artists and audience members. I will always feel honored to have been a part of leading this special theatre company.”
Playwright Paula Vogel commented that Garvey-Blackwell was the “person at The Vineyard we call at midnight during both times of crisis and times of celebration.”
“I have been so lucky to work with her,” she continued. “She will continue to be a force in our community.”
“Jen Garvey-Blackwell has been a cherished member of the Vineyard Theatre's leadership team and a beloved friend and partner,” added artistic directors Aibel and Stern. “Her passion, talent, expertise and acumen have been invaluable to us as the company has advanced creatively and administratively over the years. Her stewardship of the company has been truly exceptional. She will be deeply missed by us, and we know she will continue to do amazing things in all her future pursuits.”
Garvey-Blackwell began working at the Vineyard in marketing and audience services before transitioning to executive director/CEO in 2001 and executive producer in 2011. During her tenure, the theatre has developed and produced such works as the Tony-winning Avenue Q, Kander and Ebb’s The Scottsboro Boys and Nicky Silver’s The Lyons—all of which transferred to Broadway.
READ MORE: NICKY SILVER’S THIS DAY FORWARD WILL OPEN VINEYARD SEASON
