Additions To Staff At Shakespeare Theatre Of New Jersey

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has announced three recent additions to its professional staff: Sue Bartelt as director of finance and business affairs, Michele Ann Klinsky as director of patron services, and Kelly Easterling of as director of production and facilities. All three positions are part of a senior management team that reports to artistic director Bonnie J. Monte, who has been at the institution’s helm since 1990. Under Monte’s artistic and organizational leadership, the 44-year-old company has grown exponentially from a summer festival to a year-round operation. Bartelt, Klinsky and Easterling join a seasoned senior management team that includes associate artistic director Joe Discher, director of development Marysue E. DePaola, director of education Brian B. Crowe, and director of marketing and public relations Bridget Daley.

As director of production and facilities, Kelly Easterling oversees a team of up to 20 full-time and seasonal theatre technicians and artists responsible for the physical elements of The Shakespeare Theatre’s artistic and educational programs. In addition, he supervises the operation of the company’s physical plants, including a production facility, two performance venues, rehearsal spaces and residential facilities for guest artists. Prior to joining The Shakespeare Theatre staff, Easterling was technical director for the City of Portland’s Merrill Auditorium, where he was responsible for the management and technical operation of a 1,900-seat municipal space that hosts national Broadway tours, rock concerts, symphonies and other major events.

Prior to joining the staff of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Bartelt was general management associate at New York City Center, where she managed the Tony Award-winning Encores! Series and the critically acclaimed Fall for Dance Festival. During the past decade, she has held positions with Clear Channel Entertainment, where she was engagement manager for The Phantom of the Opera as well as associate director of technical supervision, working closely with the tours of Riverdance, Blast and The Lion King and assisting on the planning of theatre renovations for companies including the Boston Opera House. From 2003 to 2004 she was associate general manager of Big League Theatricals, where she worked on the national tours of Miss Saigon, 42nd Street and The Music Man.

As director of patron services, Michele Klinsky oversees box office and house management activities, including ticketing, customer service, space rentals, food concessions, gift shop sales and special events at the company’s Main Stage venue, the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University in Madison, as well as at its Outdoor Stage on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morris Township. For the past 11 years, Miss Klinsky was assistant house manager at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, where she oversaw a staff of 50 and was responsible for patron services as well as safety and security. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, Inc.