Orpheum Theatre Launches National Search for New President & CEO

The Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN, begins a national search to replace its long-time President & CEO, Pat Halloran. The Memphis Development Foundation (MDF), which operates the 2400-seat theatre, has retained the executive search firm, DHR International, to conduct the search.

Pat Halloran is a recognized national force in the performing arts center sector and a leader in the Independent Producers Network. Over the last 35 years, Halloran guided the restoration of the classic downtown movie theater, helped to create a board of the city's leading citizens, presented hundreds of first-run Broadway shows and other arts events at the Orpheum that restored evening life to downtown Memphis. Under Halloran's leadership, the Orpheum has also invested in Broadway productions, most recently the production of the musical, Memphis, which opened in London in 2014 after its Broadway engagement and the national tour. As Halloran prepares to leave his position, he is completing construction and fundraising for the Orpheum Centre for Performing Arts & Education, a new structure adjacent to the Orpheum that will feature a 350-seat state of the art theater, catering spaces, a rehearsal hall, board room and multiple classrooms to provide arts education for thousands of children in the region.

Mr. Andy Taylor, Chairman of the Board of the MDF said, "Mr. Halloran will be a tough act to follow. The search committee engaged in a thorough process to vet national executive search firms with experience in the field of theater and the performing arts. DHR International, headquartered in Chicago was selected to conduct the search under the guidance of its Global Nonprofit Leader, James Abruzzo."

Over the last 25 years, Abruzzo has recruited dozens of CEOs for similar performing arts organizations throughout the United States and is well known and respected by members of the theater community.

According to Abruzzo, "We will be seeking someone who is a performing arts leader, who has the management skills to run the business, who has the Broadway producer's flair and imagination, and someone with the determination and skill to be a tireless fundraiser. With the opening of the Orpheum Centre for Performing Arts and Education, the breadth of experience required will be widened and magnified. DHR's mandate is to recruit and evaluate the best candidates in North America including qualified candidates located in the region so that the best of them may be interviewed by the search committee."

Anyone interested in learning more about the opportunity or nominating someone or applying for the position may contact mcounter@dhrinternational.com. There is no deadline for applications; however, interested candidates are encouraged to contact DHR as soon as possible. All contacts will remain confidential.