Passing the Torch

We have a couple major staff transitions underway at APT. We start this season with a new Box Office Manager, Company Manager, and a brand new position dedicated to our audience. It's the season of change. We're adding a new position, called the Patron Experience Manager. The PEM (as we've come to refer to her) is in charge of gift shop, concessions, house staff, and the general comfort, safety and delight of the audience when they're at APT. We're happy to welcome Gena Reitano to our staff. Gena comes to us from Whole Foods, where she's worked for over a decade. You'll see her on the Hill and in the Touchstone this season. In addition to Gena's arrival, there are two major "torch passings" going on right now at APT: Our wonderful and super-efficient Box Office Manager, Katie Dewey, is moving on to a job at Epic in Madison. Katie has been with APT for many years, first as a Production Assistant, then Assistant Box Office Manager and then as manager. She is an amazingly organized and effective manager. In the last several years, she has tamed the beast that is our ticketing software, so I guess it's no wonder she's going on to a job where she troubleshoots software full-time. We will certainly miss her. BUT, we are so fortunate to have Emily Beck to step in and fill Katie's shoes. Emily also started at APT as a Production Assistant and has most recently been the Assistant Box Office Manager. I have no doubt that all of our patrons will be in great hands with Emily. Feel free to call her if you need anything. Also, I should add that Tania Reichardt, last year's Box Office Lead, will move up into the Assistant Manager position. Our other torch-passing is in Company Management. For those of you who don't know, the Company Manager's job is to take care of the needs of the actors, directors, designers, and production staff while they're at APT. This includes housing, travel, and a fair amount of hand-holding. Carissa Dixon has been in this position for 5 years, and does an amazing job. As you might imagine, moving to Spring Green from a major metropolitan area (as many of our company members to) for six months is quite an adjustment and Carissa eases that transition. Carissa recently fulfilled a life-long dream to own a dance studio when she bought half ownership in Spring Into Motion, a studio in Spring Green. Carissa won't be leaving APT completely: in the last few years she has become our staff photographer in addition to her role as Company Manager. In fact, you'll see a lot of her work in this year's season brochure and on the website. She'll continue as Staff Photographer, taking a break from the dance studio to roam the APT property, camera in hand. We are thilled to welcome Carey Cannon as the new Company Manager and Artistic Associate. You know Carey from the APT stage -- most recently in last season's Comedy of Errors, Hay Fever and Old Times (and on the front of this year's season brochure in a photo of her as Titania from A Midsummer Night's Dream). She's making a bit of a career change, and we are very fortunate to have her on staff.