Current News
4th Wall Theatre Appoints New Artistic Director
February 15, 2010
BLOOMFIELD—4TH Wall Theatre-- Gwen Ricks-Spencer, Executive Director of 4th Wall Theatre, a non-equity, professional theatre company in residence at Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, announces a change in artistic leadership beginning in the 2010-2011 season, with the appointment of Kate Swan as the new Artistic Director. Swan succeeds Gregory Allen, who is stepping down to concentrate on other creative endeavors, after leading the organization artistically for six seasons.
“Kate has a passion for the kind of work we do” says Ricks-Spencer. “The Board is very excited she accepted the challenge. We believe that Kate’s extensive theatre knowledge and experience working artistically with organizations across the country will help us move to the next level. Although she does not formally join us until the fall, Kate has been working on selecting next season’s shows and working with Gregory Allen to ensure a smooth transition”, concludes Ricks-Spencer.
Swan moved to New York after graduating from Northwestern University with a degree in theatre. She was cast in the original Broadway production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and later served as dance captain for the national tour and Broadway production. Eventually, she became the Associate Choreographer for all productions worldwide, mounting and/or maintaining all official Disney productions of the show on Broadway and around the world. Some directing and/or choreography credits include work at: Wings Theatre in Manhattan, Fireside Theatre, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Surflight Theatre, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, and Purdue University Theatre. She was co-choreographer of the original Chicago World Premiere of Schoolhouse Rock Live! which ran Off-Broadway shortly thereafter.
Swan has worked as a performer in numerous productions, including the European tour of West Side Story, and trained at Lee Theodore’s American Dancemachine, a company dedicated to preserving Broadway theatre dance history. She has taught theatre dance workshops across the US and in China. She is a member of the Stage Director and Choreographers Society. For 4th Wall, she has directed The Wild Party and this season’s Sweeney Todd in concert.
“While working with 4th Wall on The Wild Party, I realized what a special company it is. Its mission of producing seldom-performed plays and musicals and giving voice to a wide variety of theatre artists appeals to me tremendously, and the board, the people who make the company tick, are strong-minded, big-hearted people who don’t mind working extremely hard in order to make good theatre.” Swan continues “It is with great humility and joy that I accept the responsibilities of Artistic Director, and I am looking forward to an exciting year.”
Swan will serve as the choreographer on this season’s final show, The Life. She joins Allen, who is directing.
“We will miss Greg, both professionally and personally,” states Ricks-Spencer. “He has been a driving force in the incredible growth of the group artistically over these last six years. His energy and focus have served as a great motivator for everyone at 4th Wall, and he helped propel us to being one of the most active and respected theatre groups of our kind in New Jersey.”
Allen has become known as a major arts advocate in Essex County, serving as the Managing Director of the Westminster Arts Center at Bloomfield College, as well as on the Advisory Board for the Arts of Essex County. “I have loved working with 4th Wall for so many years as it has been a huge part of my life,” Allen says. “4th Wall has an amazing mission and offers so much to the community and has come a long a way in such a short time. Knowing Kate the way that I do, I am certain she will propel the group to new heights while maintaining an artistic caliber that 4th Wall audiences have grown to expect.”
4th Wall will conclude their 2009-2010 season with the musical The Life by Cy Coleman running weekends June 4-19. www.4thwalltheatre.org
4th Wall Theatre, a qualified organization of the New Jersey Cultural Trust, sets the highest standards of excellence in producing diverse, seldom-performed and original productions, celebrating a wide spectrum of visions and voices in theatre. 4th Wall is committed to breaking through the wall of imagination, to make cutting edge works accessible and fostering a positive theatre experience for artists and audiences.
