Theatre Building Chicago, recognized nationally for its new theater development programs, today announced that Sean Cercone has been named its Executive Director.
From 2003 to 2009, Mr. Cercone served as the Producing Artistic Director of The Carousel in Akron, Ohio, an eight hundred (800) seat Equity theatre that produced six (6) productions each season, hosting 410 performances annually. During the first three years of his tenure Sean achieved an attendance increase of over nine percent (9%), compounded annually with ticket sales soaring over 200,000 - a milestone for the organization.
Cercone established a New Works program, the first of it kind in the northeast Ohio region. Over his tenure, the New Works program developed four shows that moved on to presentations in the National Alliance of Musical Theatre New Works Festival and the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Two (Meet John Doe and The Gypsy King) of which moved on to full productions at regional theatres, Ford's Theatre and Village Theatre respectively. Cercone has also served as a four-time committee member and two-time co-chair for the NAMT Festival of New Musicals in New York.
"We are extremely pleased that Sean Cercone has accepted the position as Executive Director. Sean has a highly visible and recognizable name in the theatre community on both a local and national level. He has the passion, vision and drive to lead us toward a full subscription season of new theater, as well as a strong sense of the rich history and mission of this well established mainstay of Chicago theatre" stated Sally Ruecking, president of the Theatre Building Chicago board. "Sean's extensive experience in theater development geometrically increases our capabilities and service to our clients, while providing the necessary leadership skills to augment our talented staff. Sean's appointment is the result of a 5 month search, and we are thrilled that this native New Yorker will now call Chicago his home."
Cercone stated, "I am very excited to join the fantastic team at TBC. The organizations rich history and strong leadership over thirty years built a solid foundation and opportunity for growth. We look forward to continuing to provide an important resource for the Chicago Theatre Community, while also developing our ability to have a greater impact on the landscape of the American Theatre."
Former Chicago Theatre Building board president Craig Wilson added, "I am excited to work with Sean. He is very strategic, and can truly articulate the tremendous potential we have to our Chicago community."
Sean served six seasons as the Producing Artistic Director of The Carousel and is a Co-Founder of Pack The House Productions. Cercone also served as a Board Member for the National Alliance of Musical Theatre; as a Musical Theatre Specialist for the National Endowment for the Arts and Board President of the Cleveland Theatre Collective. Cercone served as Founding Artistic Director of the West Virginia Shakespeare Festival and Awards include being selected as one of Crain's Business Top 40 Professional's Under 40 in 2004. Cercone is a graduate of the Theatre Program at Frostburg State University and M.F.A. in Theatre from West Virginia University.