WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Cristin Seidel, WPPAC. August 5, 2005, (Edited): White Plains Performing Arts Center Board of Directors President, Chauncey Walker and Producing Director, Tony Stimac announced the appointment of Ray Cullom to the position of Managing Director of the White Plains Performing Arts Center Friday afternoon.
Mr. Cullom fills the position formerly held by Executive Director, Jeffrey Rosenstock, of Queens Theatre in the Park who has played a reduced pro bono role in the theatre's management since last fall. Mr. and Mrs. White Plains will get an immediate look at Mr. Cullom's work in September. Cullom is the creator of the first WPPAC production of the fall scheduled to open the WPPAC 2005-2006 season in September, Gilbert & Sullivan in Brief, which debuts September 23.
Mr. Cullom, 39, is currently the Executive Director of The Bethesda Theatre in Maryland, and General Manager/Line Producer for several large-scale productions of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Previously, Mr. Cullom has served as Executive Director for The Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick, MD, and the Theatre Row Theatre complex on West 42nd Street in New York City, which he also helped to design and open.
He has worked behind the scenes on the national tours of many large-scale touring musical productions, including RENT, RAGTIME, FOSSE, CABARET, and directly with Cameron Macintosh on his productions of OLIVER! And OKLAHOMA! Ray also held the position of Vice President of Programming for the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, NC, one of the nation’s largest independent performing arts complexes.
"Ray brings a national profile and experience to White Plains Performing Arts Center. Every previous institution where he's been has seen significant growth in resources for the art. This is what White Plains needs most now. Additionally, I am personally thrilled to welcome him as co-leader of the White Plains Performing Arts Center" said an excited Tony Stimac on Mr. Cullom's appointment.
“Through the search process, we learned that Ray is regarded by significant figures in the arts world as one of the most promising and innovative arts managers of his generation. The Board of Directors is tremendously excited about the future of the White Plains Performing Arts Center, especially now that we have such a talented new leader to join Tony” said Mayor Joseph Delfino.
"I am thrilled to join the White Plains Performing Arts Center" said Ray of his new position. He added, "to be a part of a vibrant community and remarkably rich arts scene is a dream come true. I look forward to helping advance the Center’s mission to be the region’s leader in the production and presentation of first-class cultural entertainment, and to provide outstanding education and outreach programs to the community."
White Plains Performing Arts Center will open its 3rd season on September 23rd with the new musical Comedy, Gilbert & Sullivan In Brief, which was created by Mr. Cullom, and premiered at The Kennedy Center last fall.
