It is a privilege to take over the Executive Director position this year. I came to the AJT as a playwright, as I had a book of Jewish plays and was planning more plays on Jewish themes. I found at the AJT a community of people who were genuinely excited about theater, where Artistic Directors and playwright and solo performers and scholars all mingled equally, and where the ideas and community around me genuinely energized me to continue in my own creative efforts.
I am not only a playwright, however, but also a producer. I am the Artistic Director of a theater company in New York called Untitled Theater Company #61, and in 2009 UTC61 produced the Festival of Jewish Theater and Ideas and hosted that year's AJT conference. The experience was deeply rewarding, and it was a great privilege to bring together theater artists from all over the world with a great passion for Jewish theater. Many of the participants in the festival were AJT members, and it was very rewarding to be able to see their creative work in person.
Among my work on Jewish themes are my plays Playing Dreidel With Judah Maccabee, Doctors Jane and Alexander, Golem Stories, The Living Methuselah, and A Shylock. The last three are collected in a book entitled The Golem, Methuselah, and Shylock.
I also work as an author of children's books, having had three published so far. And of course I write plays on many other themes, especially neurology and Czech history.
Having seen how much work the last Executive Director, Kayla Gordon, did to facilitate the many activities of the AJT, I know I have big shoes to fill. I am excited about working with David Chack on this, having worked so closely with him in preparing the last conference. His energy will and dedication will help us to continue to grow, I am sure. And indeed I am excited about working with the whole AJT board.
I have worked as playwright, an Artistic Director, a dramaturg, and even a performer, so I think I bring a wide breadth of experience to the job. I hope to be able to help facilitate the work of AJT and its members in every way I can.