Berkeley Repertory Theatre (Berkeley Rep) has selected Tom Parrish as Managing Director, following an executive search process led by Arts Consulting Group (ACG). He will begin tenure on September 1, 2022.
Tom Parrish brings 19 years of experience in theater management and business, a top-caliber finance, and high-quality developmental and marketing skill set to Berkeley Rep. His career spans across executive and senior leadership roles at numerous performing art theaters including Tony award-winning Trinity Repertory Company (Trinity Rep), Geva Theatre Center, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, and the San Diego Theatre Repertory. During his tenure at Trinity Rep, he aided in creating a tuition-free Brown University/Trinity Rep master of fine arts programs in acting and directing, provided strategic and operational guidance during the pandemic, and executed the highest-grossing productions in organizational history.
As a producer, Parrish has produced over 140 productions, including over 30 world premieres. Consistent with his commitment to inclusion and diversity and passion for the craft of theatre-making, Parrish has served in community and industry boards such as the League of Resident Theatres, Theatre Forward, and as an Interim Chief Operating Officer of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Parrish holds a bachelor of arts in theater arts from Case Western Reserve University, a master of business administration and master of arts in arts administration from Southern Methodist University, and attended Harvard Business School for strategic perspectives in nonprofit management as a F. Steele Blackall III Fellow.
In making the announcement, Search Committee Chair and Board President Emily Shanks said, “The future of Berkeley Rep will be sensational under the leadership of Tom Parrish and Johanna Pfaelzer. Tom is a skilled executive with an accomplished breadth of theatre experience. He has the qualities to infuse Berkeley Rep with fresh perspective. I am looking forward to having him as part of the leadership team.”
“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.”
“ACG is honored to work with Berkeley Rep in selecting Tom Parrish to fulfill this key role of Managing Director,” said ACG Vice President Geoff Chang. “Parrish is an exceptional, thoughtful, and strategic leader with a high sensibility to diversity, equity, and anti-racism practices. Parrish’s endless devotion and fearlessness in embracing the future will lead Berkeley Rep into its next phase of growth.”
July 2022.