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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE

New York, NY (December 14, 2010) – Howard Sherman, Executive Director of the American Theatre Wing since 2003, today informed the organization that he will not renew his employment agreement beyond its current term, ending on June 30, 2011. The announcement came at a regularly scheduled meeting of the American Theatre Wing’s Board of Trustees earlier today.

“Howard has been at the helm of the Wing at a time of great transition, and he has brought us new energy and vision,” said Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman 0f the Board of Directors, about the announcement. “While showing commitment to the traditions of the Tony Awards, he has raised the profile of the Wing and brought a new generation of theater enthusiasts into our sphere. He has added a variety of new programs and has made our website an extraordinary repository for content – both new and archival – that supports the mission of the Wing. I am confident he will remain a friend to the Wing and a colleague of mine as he moves on to another chapter in his life.” Mr. Chapin also said that the board would meet in early 2011 to engage a search consultant and commence the process of finding Sherman’s successor.

Regarding his decision to step down, Mr. Sherman said, “I’ve had an extraordinary journey in my time at ATW and I am exceedingly grateful to the board, the staff, our supporters and our partners for the opportunity to pursue my passions and to enhance this venerable organization. This has been one of my great experiences in the theatre, but I think I still have some adventures ahead of me and feel that now is an optimal time for me to pursue them.

“I do not have a new job on deck, but feel it is appropriate to make my intentions known now, rather than surreptitiously seek work and, in doing so, potentially undermine the work of The Wing. I look forward to exploring what is yet to come, but in the meantime, I am committed to serving out the term of my agreement through the 2011 Tony Awards and insuring the smoothest possible leadership transition for the organization.”

Over the course of what will ultimately be an eight year tenure at The Wing, Sherman has been responsible for significant expansion of the organization’s efforts to support education and recognize excellence in theatre, including:

• Upgrading and expansion of the Wing’s long-running “Working in the Theatre” television program. He has executive produced some 70 WIT programs and moderated 31 editions to date.

• Creation and development of new media projects including the “Downstage Center” podcast, which will soon mark its 300th interview, and the original video series “In The Wings,” now in its second season. Sherman has hosted 297 editions of “Downstage Center” to date.

• Development of americantheatrewing.org as the primary distribution resource for ATW and partner media nationally, and even internationally, with over 2 million downloads of media annually.

• Development of the Theatre Intern Group and SpringboardNYC programs for aspiring and early career theatre professionals.

• Conception and supervision of the original essay book “The Play That Changed My Life.”

• Incorporation of the Jonathan Larson Grants for early career musical theatre writers into the Wing’s programming.

• Reformatting of the Wing’s long-standing Grants Program into the new National Theatre Company Grants.

• Development of The Wing’s social media presence on Twitter and, most recently, the commencement of a weekly blog on theatrical issues.

• Serving as ATW’s primary representative in all aspects of The Tony Awards, created by The Wing in 1947.

The American Theatre Wing (Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman, Board of Directors; Howard Sherman, Executive Director) is a not-for-profit organization best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards®, which it presents annually with The Broadway League. In addition to “Downstage Center,” “In The Wings,” “Working in the Theatre,” and a host of other online resources, The Wing operates many activities, all dedicated to recognizing excellence and supporting education in theatre, including SpringboardNYC, the Theatre Intern Group, the National Theatre Company Grants and the Jonathan Larson Grants. Visitors to www.americantheatrewing.org can listen to, watch or download from ATW’s extensive media collection, and learn more about all of its programming for students, aspiring and working professionals, and audiences who want to learn more about the making of theatre. Follow ATW on www.Facebook.com/TheAmericanTheatreWing, www.youtube.com/americantheatrewing and www.Twitter.com/TheWing.

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