Berton blog

Andrew D. Hamingson Exits Role as Public Theater's Executive Director

Andrew D. Hamingson will vacate his position as executive director of the Public Theater, the organization announced Feb. 2. Citing personal reasons for his departure, Hamingson will be temporarily succeeded by Joey Parnes.

Hamingson arrived at the Public in August of 2008, after serving as the managing director of Atlantic Theater Company 2004-2008. Prior to that, he was the director of development for the Manhattan Theatre Club 1999-2004. He will continue on as a consultant over the next two months while the Public transitions.

In his position as executive director, Hamingson was elemental in bringing the Public's Tony Award-winning revival of Hair to Broadway in 2008, as well as spearheading the Broadway transfers of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and The Merchant of Venice in recent months. During his tenure, he oversaw the $35 million renovation of the Public's Lafayette Street home. Similarly, he was responsible for raising $35 million for the capital campaign for the renovation of the historic Biltmore Theater while at MTC.

While the downtown theatrical institution searches for Hamingson's long-term successor, former Public Theater executive director Joey Parnes will step in. Parnes served in that role at the Public 1994-1996 and has been the executive producer of Merchant, Bloody Bloody…, Hair and Passing Strange on Broadway. He has also been the general manager and executive producer for Well, Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf and Butley in recent years.

"The Public Theater is one of the greatest non-profit theatres in the world," Hamingson said in a statement. "No other organization champions the work of emerging writers or produces American Shakespeare on the level of The Public. Artistic director Oskar Eustis and all the people who work at The Public are the greatest staff in the American theatre, and I am proud of the work we all have done together."