CHICAGO: About Face Theatre Company has named Dean Carpenter as the new managing director. Carpenter succeeds Corinne Neal, who stepped down earlier this year.
“We are very proud to welcome Dean to the About Face Theatre staff as we head into our 20th anniversary season,” said artistic director Andrew Volkoff in a statement. “We’re excited to have him as part of our leadership, and I know that Dean’s breadth of knowledge and experience will be instrumental as we look towards the future.”
Carpenter served as general manager of Second Stage Theatre from 2011–13, overseeing new shows like Water by the Spoonful, All New People, and Dogfight, as well as revivals of How I Learned to Drive and The Last Five Years. Previously, he worked on the general management teams for the global productions of Wicked and Jersey Boys. He has brought new works such as ‘til Divorce Do Us Part, Peninsula, Hell’s Belles and (Mary) Todd to the stage as an independent producer and manager. He serves on the board of directors for the Off-Broadway League as the secretary and chair of the marketing committee. Carpenter worked in the consumer advertising industry before finding his way to the theatre. He earned an undergraduate degree in theatre from Northwestern University, and a MFA in theatre management and producing from Columbia University.
