Connecticut's loss is San Diego's gain. Former CEO of the Bushnell Memorial Hall Corporation Douglas C. Evans will leave that theatre June 30 to become the managing director of the Old Globe Theatre July 3. While current Bushnell managing director Ronna Reynolds will take over most of Evans' duties, he will still remain in charge of special projects through Dec. 31, 2000.
Under Evans, The Bushnell's attendance has raised to 400,000 with 325 events offered within the year, including Broadway tours like The Scarlet Pimpernel and Copacabana. In 1995, he oversaw the Campaign for Our Bushnell, a successful $20 million dollar campaign for expanding community outreach programs like the PARTNERTS arts education program, and the beginnings of Fund for the New Bushnell, the theatre's current fund-raising plan for theatre expansion with a new 950 seat hall.
Evans is currently a governor of the League of American Theatres and Producers and executive vice president of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation. His memberships in theatrical and regional organizations include the International Association for the Performing Arts, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, the New England Presenters and the Connecticut Commission for the Arts, with whom he served as a director.
Evans replaces Thomas Hall, managing director of the Old Globe since 1981. Hall announced his resignation in February. After joining the Old Globe in 1978, he worked as a production stage manager, production manager and then, for twenty years, in the capacity of managing director. In his years with the theatre, he has produced some 250 productions and supervised the $13 million dollars worth of improvements on the Old Globe stages, including the design and construction of both the Old Globe Theatre and the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.
Reynolds joined the Bushnell in 1978 as the director of marketing. As managing director, she oversees the development of Bushnell programs, fund-raising, external relations and public policy. A Connecticut resident, she penned the book "Images of Connecticut Life," the National Merit Award winner from the American Associations of State and Local History the same year she joined the Bushnell. A permanent successor for Evans is expected to take over after Dec. 31, 2000.
-- By Christine Ehren
