"I know! Let's do a show!" Goodspeed Musicals has a new team!

Donna Lynn Hilton becomes the first woman to lead the internationally acclaimed theater
David B. Byrd represents new generation of theater managers

Compiled by Don Church and Tony Schillaci ; Announcement supplied by Goodspeed Musicals : EAST HADDAM, CONN., January 13, 2021:

After an extensive national search, Goodspeed Musicals’ Board of Trustees
announced today that they have selected Donna Lynn Hilton as the new
Artistic Director and David B. Byrd as the new Managing Director of the
two-time Tony Award-winning theatre. Ms. Hilton and Mr. Byrd will
succeed Michael Gennaro, Goodspeed’s Executive Director, who retired at
the end of 2020.

Donna Lynn Hilton arrived at Goodspeed Musicals
in 1988 and has been a creative force at the organization ever since.
For the past thirteen years, Ms. Hilton has been Goodspeed’s highly
respected Producer, responsible for guiding productions and musical
development at the Goodspeed Opera House and The Terris Theatre. During
her tenure, she led the expansion of Goodspeed’s Festival of New
Musicals and the creation of the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Grove
at Goodspeed Musicals. Her work has impacted the development of new
musicals and revivals not only on Goodspeed’s stages, but in regional
theatres across the country, on Broadway, and the United Kingdom,
earning her an international reputation as a leader in the field.

David
B. Byrd’s career in the professional regional theatre has spanned 20
years with his most recent position as Managing Director of Virginia
Stage Company in Norfolk, Virginia. Prior to his work in Norfolk, Mr.
Byrd was Managing Director of the Clarence Brown Theatre at the
University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he introduced a new play
program and produced a novel collaboration with the Knoxville Symphony
Orchestra. He also served as Adjunct Professor in the UT-Knoxville
Department of Theatre. No stranger to Connecticut, he has held
leadership positions at Yale Repertory Theater (Associate Managing
Director) and Westport Country Playhouse (Director of Marketing) and is a
graduate of the Yale University School of Drama. Mr. Byrd has
demonstrated a keen ability to manage complex institutions with limited
resources and will be an excellent partner with Ms. Hilton.

"We are thrilled to begin a fresh chapter in Goodspeed’s history with Donna

Lynn Hilton and David Byrd as our new leaders,” said Hila Rosen,
President of the Goodspeed Board of Trustees. “I am so happy and proud
that we are taking a major step forward by appointing Donna Lynn as our
first female executive, and I relish the significance of selecting David
to bring a new perspective to our beloved institution. At a time when
all theatres have been shocked to their core and are fighting to
survive, they bring an exciting new vision for Goodspeed that will
undoubtedly secure an even brighter future for our historic theatre.
Both Donna Lynn and David share the Board of Trustees commitment to
prioritizing equity, diversity, inclusion and racial justice for
Goodspeed’s staff, creative teams and on our stages,” added Rosen.

Donna Lynn Hilton, who will begin immediately as Goodspeed’s first Artistic
Director, said, “I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to
lead the theatre that has been my creative home for so long –
particularly at this moment, when all we know has been put to the test -
and I am excited to welcome David B. Byrd as my partner. It is
important to us both that Goodspeed prioritize providing a welcoming and
safe environment for diverse voices. Despite the devastating impacts of
the pandemic, I am confident that Goodspeed will emerge transformed and
well positioned to build on our great legacy of developing, producing
and introducing to the world exceptional musical theatre."

Mr. Byrd, who will join Goodspeed in a few weeks, shared his thoughts about
becoming the institution’s first Managing Director. “I have long admired
Goodspeed Musicals and its rich history of nurturing new works and
creating exceptional musical theatre experiences. I feel honored to join
a team of stellar artists, artisans and theatremakers during this most
important time for our industry and society at large.” He added, “I am
thrilled for the opportunity to join Donna Lynn Hilton in leading such a
storied institution at this moment when we need theatre most. Great art
will be borne from and lead us out of this difficult stretch. There is a
bright future ahead which includes developing new and diverse
audiences, stewarding Goodspeed’s physical assets and honoring the rich
traditions of the musical theatre with a dedicated Board of Trustees,
Members and community.”

Upon learning of Michael Gennaro's retirement plans in 2020, the Goodspeed Board of Trustees
decided to change the leadership model from one Executive Director to
the partnership of an Artistic Director and Managing Director, as is
most common in regional theatres across the country. Ms. Hilton, as
Artistic Director, will lead the creative aspects of the organization
while Mr. Byrd, as Managing Director, will focus on administrative and
financial management. Both will share fund-raising responsibilities.