SANTA MARIA, CALIF.: Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) has welcomed Jennifer Schwartz as its new managing director. Schwartz took on the role in January and succeeds Michael Black.

“She will help keep us on track for the next great stage of our work—creating inspiring theatre artistry, the best professional practices, and an exemplary training environment,” said artistic director and associate dean Mark Booher in a statement.

Schwartz has worked as a nonprofit arts manager for 15 years. She served as the finance and administrative director at the San Jose Repertory Theatre, and was the associate managing director at Yale Repertory Theatre. Schwartz is the founder of San Francisco Stage & Film, a nonprofit organization that produces works by and about underrepresented communities. She has produced the Women’s Comedy Show for public radio and received an National Endowment for the ARts grant to take the show to a national audience. She holds an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.

“I am thrilled to be joining the staff at PCPA,” said Schwartz in a statement.  “I am deeply impressed with the quality of the work on stage and the enormous impact that the staff has on the students to propel them on their journey as artists. Working with an organization such as PCPA is a lifelong goal of mine, and I am overjoyed that my dream is coming to fruition.”