Timothy J. Shields, Geva Theatre's managing director for the last six years, has announced he will be leaving the Rochester, NY, company this coming July. Shields will be jumping to Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, where he will serve in the same capacity.

Under Shield's guidance, Geva's subscriber base increased 35 percent and the company enjoyed three consecutive years of operating surpluses. His tenure at Geva was capped by a still-in-progress $4 million fund-raising campaign which coincided with the company's 25th anniversary (nearly $3 million has been raised so far). The money will enable the theatre to complete the purchase and renovation of its downtown Rochester home at 75 Woodbury Boulevard, as well as build a second stage and retire its deficit.

Prior to his stay at Geva, Shields spent 10 years at Princeton's McCarter Theatre, where he served in a number of positions, including General Manager.

A search committee has been formed to find a new managing director and hopes to find a successor within four months. Mark Cuddy continues on as Geva's artistic director.

-- By Robert Simonson