Bay Street Theatre Names Scott Schwartz As New Artistic Director

Scott Schwartz has been named the new artistic director for Bay Street Theatre.

The announcement was made on Monday, August 12, though finding a replacement for previous directors—Sybil Christopher, who died in March of this year, and Murphy Davis, who left Bay Street in December 2012—has been underway for several months.

Mr. Schwartz’s vision for the theater will begin with the 2014 season, according to information provided by Bay Street. The internationally acclaimed artist has spent the last 20 years working on the stage—from new plays to classics to musicals and opera.

“We are delighted to welcome Scott Schwartz as our new artistic director, said Executive Director Tracy Mitchell and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Ana Daniel, in a release issued on Monday afternoon. “His remarkable talent, experience and passion for theatre will help lead us to an incredible future of programming and new artistic alliances. We couldn’t be more thrilled.”

A graduate of Harvard University and a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, Mr. Schwartz directed the longest running one-woman show in Broadway history, “Golda’s Balcony,” William Gibson’s award-winning one-woman play about Golda Meir, starring Tovah Feldshuh. He also directed the off-Broadway musical “Bat Boy: The Musical” and Jonathan Larson’s “Tick, Tick ... Boom!” among others.

The director is currently working on the new musical “Secondhand,” which wills stage at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle in September.

“I am thrilled and deeply honored to be appointed Artistic Director at Bay Street Theatre,” said Mr. Schwartz. “I have long admired the work done by this great company, dating back to its earliest days. I still remember how taken I was when I traveled to Sag Harbor to attend Cynthia Ozick’s ‘Blue Light,’ by the excitement of seeing first-class performers doing their work so close in this intimate and beautiful theater. I look forward to working with Executive Director Tracy Mitchell, Producer Gary Hygom, and the whole Bay Street family as we build on the rich tradition begun by Sybil Christopher 22 years ago of presenting entertaining, innovative and thought-provoking productions for the East End of Long Island. While we’ve been frequent visitors for many years, my wife and I are now delighted to make a new home in Sag Harbor and to begin to be a part of this vibrant region.”

For more information, visit baystreet.org.