BANGOR, MAINE: Penobscot Theatre Company has named John Hedges its new executive director. Hedges will succeed Mary Budd, who will begin a management role at Starboard Leadership Consulting in Bangor this June. Hedges will begin the new post on May 14.

Hedges will work alongside producing artistic director Bari Newport on the organization’s fundraising and development efforts, marketing and communications initiatives, audience cultivation, community outreach, financial planning, and stewardship of the company’s real estate and other assets.

Most recently, Hedges served as managing director of Civic Theatre of Allentown and as executive director of Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre in Carmel, Ind. Prior to those roles, he spent seven years at the helm of Weathervane Playhouse in Akron, Ohio. Hedges is a member of Actor’s Equity Association (AEA) and spent more than a decade performing at regional theatres nationwide. He was a company member at Virginia’s Barter Theatre for ten seasons. He also served as an outside business representative for AEA in New York City. Hedges holds a BS in Speech Communications from Indiana State University and a MFA in Theatre Arts from Stafford University.

“I’m honored to have been chosen as the next executive director of Penobscot Theatre Company,” said Hedges in a statement. “The growth of the theatre over the last few years fueled by its dynamic artistic programming combined with exemplary board and staff leadership makes this a very exciting opportunity for me. I look forward to contributing to an organization that is clearly on the leading edge of what makes Bangor a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”