Ellen Richard

Ellen Richard (she, her, hers) is the Executive Director of the Laguna Playhouse where she oversees all Artistic and Management functions of this LORT C Theatre Company. Prior to the Playhouse she served as Executive Director of The American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco where she was responsible for overseeing the acquisition, design and construction of The Strand Theatre. She created a black box Theatre for A.C.T - The Costume Shop, and envisioned and created a space sharing initiative that allowed smaller nonprofit groups to use the space at no cost. To support A.C.T.’s MFA program, she conceptualized the San Francisco Semester, an accredited program for undergraduates studying away from their home universities. Ellen previously served as the Executive Director of New York’s Second Stage Theatre, where she was responsible for the purchase of the Helen Hayes Theatre. From 1983 to 2005. Richard enjoyed a varied career with Roundabout Theatre Company. By the time she departed as Managing Director, Roundabout had been transformed from a small nonprofit in bankruptcy to one of the country’s most successful theatre companies of its kind. Producer of more than 125 shows at Roundabout, she is the recipient of six Tony Awards, for Cabaret, A View from the Bridge, Side Man, Nine, Assassins and Glengarry Glen Ross. She also oversaw the redesign and construction of three Roundabout stages - Studio 54, The American Airlines Theatre, and the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. Prior to Roundabout, Richard served in management positions at Westport Country Playhouse, Stamford Center for the Arts, The Hartman Theatre and Atlas Scenic Studio. She began her career working as a stagehand, sound designer, and scenic artist assistant.