FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 27, 1999
On The Boards Announces New Organizational Structure to Guide Future Growth
(Seattle) – In a move to provide the strong, consolidated leadership required to expand its international reach, and to fulfill the promise of its new facilities, the Board of Directors of On The Boards (OTB) today announced that it is re-structuring under the leadership of a single Executive Director. An international search for the new position will begin immediately.
The leadership positions of Artistic Director and Managing Director will be eliminated as they currently exist Mark Murphy, Artistic Director, and Sara Pasti, Managing Director, will leave their posts.
“We applaud Mark’s tireless pursuit of the group’s artistic vision, which has helped OTB grow into a cornerstone of contemporary performance for both the Northwest and the worldwide arts community,” said Board President Lorna Jordan, “The Board further recognizes Sara’s stellar contributions to the recently completed capital campaign and our successful move to the Behnke Center for Contemporary Performance.”
The changes come after six months of organizational development and analysis of structures and issues for growing organizations. The program was conducted by an organizational development committee composed of the Board’s Executive Committee, several Board members, and an organizational development consultant. Jerry FuIks, Board Vice President and chair of the organizational development committee, said, “We looked at the experience of organizations similar to OTB and concluded that strong, consolidated leadership under a single director is required for us to expand our artistic vision and bring in larger audiences to two theaters.”
A search will begin immediately for the new Executive Director. Board members Merrill Wright and John Kucher are assembling a multi-disciplinary search committee to recruit for candidates for the position. “We will look for a person who has demonstrated leadership and has the artistic vision to present challenging new performances to Seattle audiences,” Wright said. “I think with our new building and sound finances, we will be able to attract many qualified candidates.”
Outgoing Managing Director Sara Pasti has been asked to serve as OTB’s Interim Manager through September. With the scheduling of next year’s New Performance Series season largely complete, Sara will provide management continuity for both the staff and community while the committee recruits the new Executive Director.
“It’s always challenging to change,” FuIks said, “especially when it involves losing valuable people who have contributed to the organization. We believe that this new structure will strengthen our artistic commitment and enable future growth.”
OTB is internationally known as the Northwest’s foremost center for contemporary performance. In its 21st year of operations, OTB is completing its first year in the Behnke Center for Contemporary Performance.
