Gainesville, FL – The Hippodrome Theatre Board of Trustees today announces that Tom Anderson has stepped down as the Hippodrome’s Producing Director effective immediately. Artistic Director Lauren Caldwell joins the board in announcing the appointment of Jessica Hurov to the position of Managing Director and the launch of the Hippodrome’s capital fundraising campaign.
During his four month tenure at the theatre, Tom Anderson evaluated the organizational strategic plan, helped lay the groundwork for the theatre to move forward in best business practices, and helped streamline the administrative structure.
Tom Anderson said, “The task set before me when I first arrived in town was to review all company operations and report to the Board my findings and recommendations. After careful analysis it became clear that the principal recommendation was to change the existing managerial model to one of Artistic Director paired with a Managing Director, which is one of the standards now often found in the industry. I began talking with my dear friend Lauren about my instincts early in December. I believe that the community will agree with the Board and my recommendation that the Hipp’s leaders were here all along. And in the Arts one must always strive to do what is dispassionately best for the institution and so to turn a phrase, my ‘revels here are ended’.”
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Michael Curry said, “Tom Anderson was brought to the Hippodrome under the auspices of a 90 day evaluation. Every option was on the table as he helped us explore the potential for the theatre’s future. During this time, Tom helped open the eyes of the Board to the talent existing within the theatre, and we have found the ideal people we were looking for were already here.”
For over 40 years, this community has supported and sustained the Hippodrome, as the institution grew from humble beginnings to an established non-profit organization in the heart of Downtown Gainesville. The Hippodrome’s continued success is intrinsic to the value of Gainesville’s quality of life, as well as Gainesville’s future as a vital and competitive marketplace for new industry and innovation.
As the Hippodrome faces financial challenges in the coming months, Linda McGurn, the Treasurer of the Hippodrome Board of Trustees, together with her husband Ken McGurn, have pledged $25,000 to offset expenses for the Hippodrome’s 2014 season with part being a match for a new capital campaign to “Keep Gainesville Hipp”. This generous pledge has been matched by Nathan and Ani Collier.
Linda McGurn said, “The Hippodrome is a cultural icon that brings enormous economic benefit to downtown and the whole community. The Hippodrome must have financial support to survive and thrive. Unfortunately, the Hipp has found itself in a severe financial crisis during this transition and desperately needs to raise funds. Ticket sales only provide a portion of the funds necessary to bring the works of theatre to Gainesville. We need others to join with us to save this great treasure It would be a shame for the Hippodrome to close its doors after 41 years.”
Artistic Director Lauren Caldwell said, “Jessica Hurov, the Managing Director, and myself are developing plans that will thrust the Hippodrome into the next level of extraordinary theatre, cinema, events, and soon we’ll be reaching out to ask for everyone’s support. It’s the community’s theatre and we need your continued investment to grow and thrive.”
Lauren Caldwell and Jessica Hurov share over 40 years of combined experience in theatre management and arts administration.
Lauren Caldwell, who holds an MFA from the University of Florida, began her relationship with the Hippodrome in 1988, first as an actress, later serving as the Director of Education, and ultimately as the Hipp’s Artistic Director, a position she has held for 23 years. In that time, she has directed hundreds of productions, traveled internationally with the American Institute of Musical Studies, toured with Liza Minelli, and taught both acting and directing at the University of Florida School of Theatre and Dance. Lauren has been recognized by the Gainesville Sun as Artist of the Year, and was a keynote speaker for the Florida Humanities Council. Lauren’s leadership, artistic vision, and senior management expertise are the cornerstone of the Hippodrome’s artistic mission moving forward.
Jessica Hurov, who has been at the Hippodrome since 2005, specializes in marketing and strategic communications for the arts and has extensive marketing, public relations, social media, and graphic design expertise. During her career, both in Boston and Gainesville, she has worked in market research, branding, event planning and arts administration. Jessica graduated with honors and has dual degrees in English and Psychology from Boston University.
Betsy Styron, Vice Chairman of the Board said, “We have complete confidence in Lauren and Jessica’s leadership and proven abilities as they take the Hippodrome’s 41 year legacy, combined with the visionary strategies Tom Anderson brought to the process, to forge an exciting future for the theatre.”
As a cornerstone of Gainesville’s robust cultural life, the Hippodrome has a legacy of providing the very best in artistic excellence through programming on the mainstage, cinema, special events, and its award-winning education program. The Hippodrome serves over 250,000 audience members each year, and is proud to provide educational and entertainment opportunities to countless young people inspired by the arts. The commitment of the community to the Hippodrome’s artistic endeavors – from plays on the mainstage…to artistic film… to theatre in education work – demonstrates the important and longstanding relationship the Hippodrome holds with the people of Gainesville and beyond.
The Hippodrome Theatre Board of Trustees, chaired by Michael Curry (Assistant Vice President, Development and Deputy Executive Director, Santa Fe Foundation), includes Linda McGurn (co-owner of McGurn Investment Company), Betsy Styron (President and CEO of the Center for Applications of Psychological Type), and Chris M. Morris (retired principal of P.K. Yonge DRS), and Alora Haynes (Chair, Department of Fine Arts, Santa Fe College).