Julia Soto celebrates 24 year anniversary!
Congratulations to Julia Soto who celebrated her 24-year anniversary with The Ebell this month. Julia is the true veteran of our staff, with historical institutional knowledge that is invaluable.
Julia started here as a Board Communications/Information Assistant. Her graphics and software skills helped her to be promoted many times, and along the way she picked up responsibility for systems administration as well. She also has responsibility for all of our operational systems (security and fire alarms, equipment maintenance and upgrades).
She has held titles such as IT Administrator, Office Manager, Director of Member Services. There likely is no one who has more knowledge of the inner workings of The Ebell. Julia now holds the title of Director of Graphics and Data Systems.
Thank you, Julia, for your perseverance and your positive, professional attitude. Your willingness to do whatever needed doing has been your hallmark here, and we are grateful for it.
Congratulations Julia!
Best Wishes to Michael O’Connor
It is with mixed emotions that we announced the departure of Michael O’Connor as Theatre Manager of the Wilshire Ebell Theatre last month. Michael started at The Wilshire Ebell in 1995 as Assistant Manager and rose to become the Theatre Manager in 2000. He managed the theatre through over 3,000 live performances and was able to help reopen the theatre after its necessary pandemic closure.
After an extended leave this year, Michael officially completed his tenure with us on June 17th. We offer our profound and heartfelt thanks to Michael for his great dedication to The Wilshire Ebell Theatre. We all wish him the very best in any future endeavors.
Erick Newman, Ebell Theatre Business Manager
During the past several months, Erika Newman, hired in January to be Michael’s right hand, has risen to the challenge of keeping the theatre going. Erika is from a strong theatre arts management background. She has been working on both theatre and film productions.
We are proud of Erika’s efforts and diligence, and we are pleased to announce that she has been promoted to Theatre Business Manager, with full theatre administrative responsibilities, including negotiating contracts and hiring and scheduling new theatre staff. Congratulations and many thanks, Erika!
Matthew Schroeder, the Wilshire Ebell Theatre’s new Director of Production
Also in Theatre news, we warmly welcome Matthew Schroeder, who started with us earlier this month as Director of Production. This is a newly-created position, with a special emphasis on the technical aspects of running the theatre and theatre productions.
Matthew comes to us from the LA Opera, where he spent almost ten years as a technical director, crew chief, production manager and finally associate director of production. He started his career as part of the crew for the Sesame Street Live! road company, after graduating from university with a BS in Theatre Design and Technology. The skills he learned there are now coming full circle, as he and his wife recently welcomed a baby girl!
Please stop by the theatre, especially if you rarely get a chance to enjoy its beauty, and wish Matthew well as he jumps right in!
