PHILADELPHIA: Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) has announced that executive producing director Sara Garonzik will be leaving her position during the 2016-17 season after 35 years with the company. PTC will begin a national search for Garonzik’s successor immediately, and Garonzik will continue with the theatre as executive producing director emeritus.

“I have worked closely with Sara for more than 10 years, particularly in the design, construction, and opening of the Suzanne Roberts Theatre,” said board chair E. Gerald Riesenbach in a statement. “It is clear that Sara has had an indelible impact on our theatre company. With a keen eye for artistic excellence, she has been instrumental in introducing outstanding theatre artists to Philadelphia audiences. In our search for a successor we will focus on someone whose artistic sensibility, like Sara’s, will continue to position PTC at the forefront of the national theatre landscape.”

Taking leadership of the theatre in 1982, Garonzik helped the theatre raise its status among the Philadelphia and national theatre communities. During her time there, the theatre produced 30 world premiere productions, including the Tony Award-winning Master Class by Terrence McNally. Other playwrights whose work premiered at the theatre during Garonzik’s tenure include Christopher Durang, David Ives, Naomi Wallace, Bruce Graham, Jeffrey Hatcher, and Theresa Rebeck.

“Sara has always been a wonderfully collaborative supporter, setting a nurturing tone for each of the seven productions of my work,” said McNally in a statement.  “Her impeccable taste, as well as her ability to offer valuable artistic insights,  have made working at PTC over the last 22 years a consistent pleasure.”

Garonzik was also responsible for bringing numerous successful directors to Philadelphia, many of them women, including Pam MacKinnon, Mary B. Robinson, Maria Mileaf, and Anna D. Shapiro.

“PTC has been my home and my heart for a long time, and I will always be its number one fan,” said Garonzik in a statement. “Leading the company has been a tremendous opportunity for me to grow the theatre and hone my skills in both the art and business of my profession. I remain grateful to the many board and staff members with whom I have worked as a great team to build PTC. And of course, I’m very excited about our upcoming season which is emblematic of PTC’s mission to produce new American plays and musicals.”