Tom Parrish will become the next managing director of California's Berkeley Repertory Theatre. The appointment follows the retirement of Susie Medak, announced earlier this year. Parrish will join Artistic Director Johanna Pfaelzer as the leadership team responsible for the acclaimed company.
“I am thrilled to welcome Tom Parrish to Berkeley Rep,” said Pfaelzer in a statement. “His decades of service in the American theatre, combined with his deep commitment to ensuring that arts organizations reach beyond their walls to be vital, engaged members of their communities, make Tom a perfect choice to help lead Berkeley Rep’s next era. He is known to lead with both rigor and empathy—those qualities, plus his lifelong passion for the craft of theatre-making, will be a great match for our company as we continue to emerge from the challenges of the last couple of years. I’m looking forward to working with Tom to build on the extraordinary foundation that Susie and Tony created, and envision the next phase of this beloved company.”
Parrish has worked as an executive or senior leader at numerous theatre companies throughout the last 19 years, including Trinity Repertory Company, Geva Theatre Center, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, and San Diego Repertory Theatre. Recently, Parrish served as the Interim Chief Operating Officer of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
“Berkeley Rep has an outstanding reputation as one of the country’s finest theatre companies,” said Parrish. “I am honored and thrilled to be partnering with Johanna in building upon a legacy of developing, producing, and presenting theatrical work that expands and diversifies audiences and sets standards of artistic innovation and production excellence. I look forward to collaborating with Johanna and the entire Berkeley Rep team and to building and developing relationships and community throughout Berkeley and the Greater Bay Area.”
Parrish will begin his tenure full-time September 12. Medak will continue until August 31.
