FISH CREEK, WISC.: Peninsula Players Theatre has announced that artistic director Greg Vinkler will retire at the end of 2021 season. Linda Fortunato has been named associate artistic director for the 2021 season, and will assume the role of artistic director upon Vinkler’s retirement.
“We are going to miss Greg’s artistic leadership,” said Jill Herlache, the president of Peninsula’s board of directors, in a statement. “We cannot thank him enough for his time, dedication, and the artistic craftsmanship he has provided over the past 30 years to make our theatre-in-a-garden what it is today.”
Since first appearing onstage at Peninsula Players in 1988, Vinkler has directed 33 productions and performed in 51. He was appointed artistic director in 1997 by executive producer James B. McKenzie, and has collaborated with Fortunato both onstage and as a director-choreographer duo.
“I am exceedingly happy to pass the artistic director baton on to Linda,” Vinkler said. “She has been a talented, trusted, and collaborative member of the Peninsula Players family for 17 seasons.”
Fortunato has directed and choreographed multiple productions over the years at Peninsula, and received the Joseph Jefferson Award for Outstanding Choreography for 42nd Street, Peninsula’s first Jeff Award. Fortunato was named artistic director of Theatre at the Center in Munster, Ind., in 2016.
“I am thrilled to be joining the leadership team of Peninsula Players, which has been a very special place to me and my family for many years,” Fortunato said. “I am honored to be entrusted with the legacy of this extraordinary theatre.”
Peninsula Players Theatre is the country’s oldest professional resident summer theatre, established in 1935.
