Hoebee began his stint at the financially challenged Paper Mill in June 2000 as associate artistic director. He most recently directed the Paper Mill's acclaimed production of Meet Me in St. Louis.

In a statement Paper Mill Board Chair Kenneth Thorn said, "Mark has been an essential leader during the 'Save the Paper Mill' campaign. Mark's artistic excellence has a national reputation and we are proud to call him our artistic director."

Mark W. Jones, Paper Mill's executive director, added, "Mark Hoebee and I have developed a terrific working relationship over the past several months. He has a true artistic vision for the theatre that our audiences can relate to."

Hoebee stated, "I hope to continue, as well as deepen, Paper Mill's historic role of providing a stage for excellence in American musical theatre. Paper Mill is my home, I understand what our patrons are looking for and I know Mark Jones and I can revitalize this flagship theatre."

Hoebee is a director and choreographer whose work has been seen at theatres throughout North America. He directed the 2006 Actors Fund benefit concert of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, five companies of Victor/Victoria, Diahann Carroll in Almost Like Being In Love: An Evening With Lerner and Loewe and regional tours of Company and Dreamgirls. At the Paper Mill he directed Meet Me in St. Louis; Hello, Dolly!; The King & I; Dreamgirls; and Miss Saigon. He also directed and choreographed the Paper Mill's productions of Baby and Harold and Maude: The Musical. As a performer, Hoebee was seen in the Broadway companies of Jerome Robbins' Broadway, Nick & Nora and Beauty and the Beast. He also appeared in the national tours of Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, Sweet Charity, Camelot and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. The Paper Mill Playhouse is located on Brookside Drive in Millburn, NJ. For more information visit www.papermill.org.