FORT MYERS, FLA.: Florida Repertory Theatre’s board of directors, after conducting a national search, announced Chris Verrill as the company’s next executive director. Verrill joins succeeds outgoing executive director John Martin, who announced his retirement earlier this year after 23 seasons with the company.
“Florida Repertory Theatre has a rich 26-year history of producing excellent professional theatre for all of Southwest Florida. It is a privilege and an honor to be joining the expert team that makes this possible,” said Verrill in a statement. “I look forward to continuing that tradition, building upon this successful track record, working with an amazing professional team of actors, directors, and behind-the-scenes crew, and bringing more great theatre to our Southwest Florida patrons.”
Chris Verrill spent the last 18 years as executive director of two theatre companies, Theatrikos Theatre Company in Flagstaff, Ariz. and Beijing Playhouse in Beijing, Chine. He was also the development director of KIXE-TV, a public television station in Chico-Redding, Calif., and marketing director of Sentius, a Silicon Valley communications company.
Verrill joins Florida Rep’s executive staff as the company ramps up production for its 27th season. He will work alongside producing artistic director, Greg Longenhagen, to chart a course forward in an ever-changing entertainment landscape following pandemic closures and damage to the company’s historic home during Hurricane Ian in 2022.
“The future is bright for Florida Rep,” said producing artistic director Greg Longenhagen in a statement. “We have a spectacular 27th season of professional theatre underway, and Chris will be a part of its success! He has years of managerial experience across several disciplines and will be a great asset to the team. Together with the board of directors and our staff, we will ensure Florida Rep remains an anchor in downtown Fort Myers and an arts and cultural hub for families, students, and artists in Southwest Florida.”
Founded in 1998, Florida Repertory Theatre is committed to providing a first-class regional theatre for Southwest Florida; to creating, nurturing, and developing a diverse ensemble of theatre professionals who will develop long-term relationships working on a wide variety of plays; to helping improve the quality of life in their community through all the arts; and to making the arts, especially theatre, accessible to every segment of their community. As of 2023, they had a budget of approximately $5.69 million.
