ST. LOUIS: The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (the Rep) has announced Danny Williams as its new managing director, succeeding Mark Bernstein, who is retiring after more than 34 years in the position. Williams, who most recently served as the Public Theater’s senior director of finance and administration, will start in his new position on Jan. 10, 2022.

“I’m thrilled and honored to be joining the incredible staff of the Rep,” said Williams in a statement. “I have long admired the Rep and am profoundly inspired by Hana Sharif’s visionary leadership. I cannot wait to contribute my energy and expertise to support the staff, artists, community, and supporters of the Rep to deliver theatre of the highest quality to all.”

In addition to his work at the Public, Williams has previously held administrative positions at Music Theatre International and the Manhattan Theatre Club. He also served as an adjunct professor in the Performing Arts Management MFA program at Brooklyn College.

“We are thrilled to welcome Danny Williams as the new managing director of the Rep,” said Hana Sharif, the Rep’s artistic director, in a statement. “Danny is a visionary leader, with a passion for art and a wide range of management and finance experience supporting bold, ambitious theatre. I could not be more excited to partner with Danny to shape the future of the Rep as he picks up the mantle from Mark.”

The Rep’s national search to find a successor to Bernstein, who announced his retirement in April of this year, was facilitated by Arts Consulting Group and led by search committee co-chairs Dedric Carter and Brian Clevinger.

“Mark Bernstein has been an invaluable asset to the Rep,” said Gwen Middeke, president of the Rep’s board of directors, in a statement. “We have extreme gratitude for the work he has done for our theatre and community, and he will be greatly missed. Our search committee members are confident that Danny Williams will be a worthy successor and carry on Mark’s legacy of strong leadership.”