Mara Manus Stepping Down as Public Theater's Executive Director

Mara Manus is stepping down as Executive Director of the Public Theater at the end of the fiscal year in August. She assumed her position in August 2002 during the tenure of then Artistic Director George C. Wolfe and has worked alongside Artistic Director Oskar Eustis since 2005. The Public will begin conducting a nationwide search for Manus' successor in the coming weeks. No reason was given for her departure, and her future plans were not disclosed.

In a statement, the Public's Chairman of the Board Warren Spector praised Manus for helping the theater "achieve tremendous growth and stability, including increasing the organization's annual budget from $11 million to over $19 million and more than doubling individual and corporate support. She was also instrumental in returning Shakespeare in the Park to two productions a year and launching an essential capital improvement project."

"Mara has served The Public with brilliance, dedication and distinction," Artistic Director Oskar Eustis added in a statement. "It has been an honor to work with her. Her six successful years here have positioned us beautifully for the future."