ART names Russo its new managing director

CAMBRIDGE — The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University has announced today that William Russo will join the institution as its new Managing Director, effective this July.
Russo, who currently serves as the Managing Director of New York Theatre Workshop, will partner with A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus to manage the $13 million non-profit theater.

“After completing an extensive national search, we are elated to have landed Billy Russo as the A.R.T.’s new Managing Director,” said Don Ware, Chairman of the A.R.T.’s Board of Trustees. “Billy is an accomplished, nationally recognized theater professional who knows the business inside and out. He is universally respected in the arts community for his financial acumen and strong leadership skills. Billy is the perfect choice to partner with Diane Paulus and the trustees to help guide the A.R.T. to even greater achievements in the years ahead.”
“I am so pleased to have Billy join our team,” commented Paulus. “It was clear to me and members of the search committee that his experience, energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking would align with our vision for the A.R.T. I am incredibly excited to have his guidance and partnership during this important time at the theater.”
Russo added, “I am beyond thrilled to join the American Repertory Theater to help add to the deep, rich and ever-evolving contributions that the organization continues to make to the American and world-wide theatrical landscape. I have watched and admired the many recent A.R.T. achievements under Diane’s leadership and it is truly an honor to be welcomed into this company at this point in its illustrious history.”
Russo continued, “I will relish the opportunity to partner with her to expand on those achievements and deepen the theater’s engagement with Harvard and the Cambridge and Boston communities.”
Russo joined New York Theatre Workshop in 2008 as its Managing Director having previously served as the General Manager of Playwrights Horizons. Prior to that Russo served as Associate General Manager for Manhattan Theatre Club. He also spent some five years working in London’s West End as an associate producer with David Pugh Limited.
Russo is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Theatre Division of Columbia University’s School of the Arts and a member of the Board of the League of Off-Broadway Theatres and Producers. He is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.