Theater News

Berkeley Repertory Theatre Names Stewart Owen 2015-16 Season Board President

This year, the theater’s board of trustees is made up of leaders and arts enthusiasts from the Bay Area’s leading organizations and companies.

The exterior of Berkeley Repertory Theatre's soon-to-be-renovated Thrust Stage.
The exterior of Berkeley Repertory Theatre's soon-to-be-renovated Thrust Stage.
(© Charles Frizzell)

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has announced its 2015-16 board of trustees, which includes leaders and arts enthusiasts from the Bay Area’s leading organizations and companies. Stewart Owen, retired cofounder of advertising agency McGarryBowen, was voted in as board president.

In addition, the board elected two new members at its first meeting of the season this week: journalist Karen M. Galatz and Jane Marvin, senior vice president of people and culture at Peet’s Coffee. The new members join the board as the theater prepares to unveil major renovations to the interior and exterior of its Thrust Stage. The improvements include the addition of Meyer Sound’s Constellation system, new energy-efficient lighting and plumbing, refurbished seats, and enhanced accessibility.

"This is an exciting season for Berkeley Rep, and we’re fortunate to have assembled a board of trustees who are among the Bay Area’s biggest advocates of the arts," said Susan Medak, managing director, in a statement. "We’re thrilled to have Stewart take the helm as president for the upcoming term. His expertise in communicating and supporting key institutional values, and his demonstrated commitment to the Theatre, will be of tremendous asset at this important time for Berkeley Rep. We also welcome Karen M. Galatz and Jane Marvin, two new members who embody the spirit of community service."

In addition to Owen, the officers of Berkeley Rep’s board, elected to one-year terms, include Roger A. Strauch, chairman of the Roda Group, as vice president; Jean Z. Strunsky, vice president of administration at Ira and Leonore Gershwin Trust, as vice president; Leonard X. Rosenberg, attorney and partner at Mayer Brown LLP, as secretary; Emily Shanks, small business regional executive at Bank of America, as treasurer; Jill Fugaro, retired founder of Murlin Apparel Group Inc., as chair of the Trustees Committee; Kerry L. Francis, a partner at Deloitte FAS LLP, as chair of the Audit Committee; and Thalia Dorwick, retired editor in chief of McGraw-Hill Education, as president emeritus.

For information about current and upcoming Berkeley Rep productions, click here.