For Immediate Release: September 3, 2005
Media Contact: Heather Suchanec, City Theater Company, 302.658.7897 x3850

City Theater Company, Wilmington's Off-Broadway, and the resident theater company of the downtown Baby Grand Theatre, announces the arrival of Kristin Barnes, the newest member of their innovative, hip, young staff. Ms. Barnes will be replacing Heather Suchanec as CTC's Managing Director on September 12, 2005, leaving some to ask, "Why is Suchanec leaving so soon after taking office?" The answer? Twins. Suchanec and her husband, CTC founding director Jon Cooper, are expecting the arrival of twins any time in the next month and half. "I was wishing that CTC was doing our production of Bat Boy this fall," explains Suchanec. "Then I could blame the impregnation on our bloodthirsty star who kick-started last year's highly successful 2004-05 season; but alas I must provide the traditional truth, the twins are my husband's."

Barnes, Suchanec's replacement, comes to CTC from the Baltimore region. A graduate of Towson University with a major in theater, Barnes is currently the managing director of the Children's Theater Association in Baltimore, MD. With three years of management experience that boasts significant increases in fundraising and expansion of outreach programming, Barnes is certain to maintain CTC's incredible 04-05 momentum. She began her theater career as an actor, writer and director. Her vast theatrical background provides her with an intimate appreciation of all that must be considered when managing a theater company. And finding a theater company as edgy as CTC to manage is a dream come true for Barnes. "I was drawn to City Theater's edginess," explains Barnes. "It is a company that challenges and causes expanding of the mind. It educates while also entertaining. The shows City Theater chooses are humorous, powerful, and inventive. I'm thrilled to find them and thrilled they've asked me to be a part of their team."

Still sharing the helm of CTC's leadership will be Michael Gray, CTC's Producing Artistic Director who once again has chosen a killer season which opens this fall with The Rocky Horror Show. (See second press release for more details.) City Theater's entire season will be eligible for Barrymore Consideration, exciting news considering CTC's 2004 Barrymore nominations and win for their provocative production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. With the momentum of last year's successful season, CTC's Barrymore win, the ingenious creative leadership of Michael Gray, and the infusion of Barnes' management experience and fresh energy, City Theater is once again going to be the Theater to watch in Delaware!!!

For more information about Kristin Barnes, City Theater Company and the 0506 season, visit www.city-theater.org or call Heather Suchanec at 302-658-7897 x3850.

City Theater programs are made possible, in part, by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency committed to promoting and supporting the Arts in Delaware.

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