For Immediate Release: January 17, 2005
Media Contact: Patrick Doran, InterAct Theatre Company, 215.568.8077

InterAct Theatre Company is pleased to announce the promotion of Melissa Amster from General Manager to Managing Director, after nearly 18 months of dedicated service to the company.

Melissa as been with InterAct since September of 2003. Prior to coming to InterAct, she served as the program manager for the Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative (PCMI), a program funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts and administered by Drexel University since its inception in July 2001. Melissa began her theatre career at the New York State Theatre Institute (NYSTI) in Troy, NY, working in many capacities including electrics, props, set construction, and eventually as box office manager. At the Walnut Street Theatre, Melissa worked as House Manager, handling the coordination of over 800 volunteer ushers. Melissa has served as a panelist for the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance's 5-County Arts Fund, and participated (as a mentor) in the Cultural Alliance's mentorship program for the first time arts advocates lobbying in Washington D.C. in March 2004. Melissa holds a BA in Theatre and Womens' Studies from Russell Sage College and an MS (all but thesis) in Arts Administration from Drexel University.

Since joining InterAct, Melissa has created successful relationships with Community Partners such as Planned Parenthood, Whole Foods Market, and Joe's Coffee, to name a few. She has embraced the mission and strategic plan initiatives. She has worked to increase the size of gifts from individual donors, increased our in-kind donor base, and managed implementation of new methods to improve customer service. Says Amster "the move to Managing Director is a wonderful step not only for me, but for InterAct. As we grow and strengthen artistically, it is important that we also continue to grow and strengthen administratively. I'm thrilled to be part of the leadership of InterAct and look forward to the responsibilities that come with this new position."

Producing Artistic Director Seth Rozin is excited about the move, recently approved by InterAct's Board of Directors. Says Rozin, "Melissa brings great skills and enthusiasm to InterAct and has quickly evolved into a crucial part of our leadership team."

Kevin Rogers has been hired as the Marketing and Public Relations Manager. Kevin comes to InterAct from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, where he served as the Public Affairs Coordinator for the last two seasons, where he was responsible for publicizing classical and pop programming. Previous to that, he was an assistant in the Public Affairs office at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Kevin holds a BA in English Literature from Concordia College in Bronxville, NY and is looking forward to beginning law studies in his new home of Philadelphia next fall.

Jeanette Honig has joined InterAct as Box Office Manager and Administrative Assistant. After studying linguistics at the University of Rochester, Jeanette moved to NYC where she worked in promotions with Jive Records. She also worked with BizBash, a company dedicated to providing nws coverage of major events for the hospitality industry. Before coming to InterAct, she was a Production Assistant for Little Steven's International Underground Garage Festival, produced by Stephen Van Zandt.

InterAct is a theatre for today's world, producing new and contemporary plays that explore the social, political and cultural issues of our time. InterAct has produced over 43 critically-acclaimed productions, including 15 world premieres, and is the recipient of numerous awards for its mainstage productions and for its innovative educational outreach program, InterAction.

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