For Immediate Release: August 8, 2005
Media Contact: Jayme Powers, Arden Theatre Company, 215.922.8900 x22

The Board of Directors of Arden Theatre Company is excited to announce that they have elected three new board members. Led by the Arden's 2005/2006 officers, Lee van de Velde (President); N. Peter Hamilton of Aloe Investment Corporation (Vice President); Andrea Mengel of Community College of Philadelphia, Department of Nursing (Vice President); Michael A. Donato of Susquehanna Patriot Bank (Treasurer); and Nancy Hirsig (Secretary), the board welcomes the following new members:

• Lori Blount Cucchiaro, coordinated the first One Book One Philadelphia project for the Free Library of Philadelphia. At present, she oversees relationships with corporate sponsors including the Library's Capital Campaign, One Book One Philadelphia, Summer Reading Program, Borrowers Ball, and Cool Books Hot Topics. She served as a consultant for Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts as well as the Italian Heritage Fund, an organization based in Milan Italy, which raises funds for the historic preservation of The Santa Maria Novella Basilica in Florence. Ms. Blount Cucchiaro lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughters.
  
  
• Barbara Hirsch Kaplan, former proprietor of the Barbara Shop, Inc. and former Creative Director of NW Ayer Advertising Agency. A former board member of the Philadelphia Committee for Children/ Youth, the Philadelphia Festival Theatre and the Prince Music Theater, Ms. Kaplan currently serves as the chair of the Capital Campaign for MANNA and on the board of the Terry Lynn Lokoff Child Care Foundation. A Cornell University graduate, Ms. Kaplan resides in Gladwyne with her husband.
  
  
• William C. Miller Jr., Senior Vice President/Managing Director Independent Channel, Lincoln Financial Distributors Inc., the wholesaling distribution organization for Lincoln Financial Group. Mr. Miller is responsible for the development and implementation of strategic marketing and sales initiatives associated with the Independent Planner Division. Mr. Miller played on two United States World Cup Lacrosse Teams (1994 and 1998) and was a member of the Philadelphia Wings Professional Indoor Lacrosse Team from 1991through 1998. Bill lives in Villanova with his family.

They join an active board that will oversee the Arden's eighteenth season as a nonprofit, producing, regional theatre. During the 2005/2006 season, the Arden will mount seven productions - including two world premieres and three musicals, a cabaret series, and direct a wide range of community and education programs from its two-theatre center in Old City.

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