Thomas Pechar, managing director of Seattle Children's Theatre (SCT) will be the new managing director of Baltimore's Center Stage beginning July 1.

Pechar succeeds 34-year Center Stage executive Peter W. Culman.

Pechar is in his 12th season at SCT. On his watch, the theatre's budget increased from $1 million annually to more than $5 million, and the company more than tripled its subscribership. Pechar and SCT raised $18 million to fund the construction of a new theatre complex.

Pechar's resume also includes work as managing director of GeVa in Rochester, NY (1983-88) and director of sales and special events for Pittsburgh Public Theater (1979-82), among other experience.

Culman served 34 years as Center Stage's managing director, one of the longest-held jobs in American resident professional theatre. The annual budget when he started was $275,000. It now tops $6.2 million and has a $20 million endowment. Center Stage begins Macbeth March 24-May 7 in The Pearlstone Theatre.

For information, call (410) 332-0033 or try the web site at www.centerstage.org.

-- By Kenneth Jones