Children's Theatre Company names new managing director

California manager moves up to take helm of Children's Theatre Co. Gabriella Calicchio will leave a California theater to join CTC in Minneapolis.

By Rohan Preston, Star Tribune

Last update: August 16, 2007 - 8:40 PM

The Children's Theatre Company, the nation's largest theater for youth and families, announced Thursday that Gabriella Calicchio will be its next managing director.

She succeeds Teresa Eyring, who left last year to become head of the New York-based Theatre Communications Group.

Since 2001, Calicchio, 43, has been managing director of the 40-year-old Marin Theatre Company in Mill Valley, Calif. The Bay Area company has 4,000 season-ticket holders and an annual budget of $2 million. By comparison, the Children's Theatre has 20,000 subscribers and a $12 million annual budget.

Raised in Vermont, Calicchio earned degrees from Bard College and Lesley University. She has held leadership posts with other California performing-arts companies.

Calicchio and her husband, actor-turned-educator Michael Janes, have two toddlers -- ages 3 and 1. She plans to start Oct. 22.

"She's a very astute businesswoman -- really, really sharp," said interim managing director and former Children's Theatre board chairwoman Karen Bohn, who also served on the search committee. "People will love her, respect her, learn from her and be inspired by her."

ROHAN PRESTON