The Playwrights' Center of Minneapolis has named Keri Kellerman (above) its managing director. She fills a newly created position at one of the nation's play-development meccas.

Kellerman comes from Seattle, a city where she has worked in nonprofit arts leadership for the past 15 years. She had been managing director of a revived Intiman Theatre for the past year. Intiman has been reorganizing under the weight of financial issues. The former regional company, founded in 1972, has come back as a summer festival.

Kellerman, who attended Pacific Lutheran University and Temple University School of Law, also had been director of advancement for a performance series at the University of Washington.

She will oversee the administrative staff and fundraising at the center, complementing the leadership of producing director Jeremy Cohen.

"We've haven't had a managing director in the past three years but it's clear that we need one," said Cohen. "One of Keri's assets is in fundraising, and we need that in an organization where virtually everything is free. She's a funny, warm, deeply engaging spirit. I'm thrilled to welcome her to this community."

Kellerman starts fulltime in May.