Shakespeare & Company’s Board of Directors is proud to announce the appointment of Molly Merrihew as the organization’s new Executive Director, who takes the helm just as the Company approaches its 50th anniversary. Merrihew has spent the last decade as an advocate and leader of the Berkshires arts community.
Merrihew, most recently Managing Director of WAM Theatre, has been appointed Executive Director following a national search. She will partner with Artistic Director Allyn Burrows to guide the organization’s programs and operational work.
For Merrihew, the role marks both a return and a continuation. Earlier in her career, she spent eight years at Shakespeare & Company in marketing and public relations before joining WAM Theatre, where she went on to serve as Managing Director and previously as Artistic Associate.
During her six years in leadership at WAM, Merrihew helped oversee a period of growth that included expanded programming, strengthened governance, and deeper community engagement, while advancing the company’s mission of gender equity through theater.
“Molly brings strong strategic leadership and a deep understanding of this community,” said Board Chair Beverly Hyman. “We’re pleased to welcome her to Shakespeare & Company.”
Burrows pointed to Merrihew’s collaborative approach.
“We are truly thrilled to welcome Molly back to the Shakespeare & Company team in an even more robust capacity as Executive Director,” he said. “Molly knows the company well, and she brings a crucial skill set to help steward us toward new horizons.”
Merrihew said she sees Shakespeare & Company as a longstanding anchor of the region’s cultural life.
“I’m honored to join the organization and to work with its staff, artists, and Board alongside Allyn,” she said. “There’s a strong foundation here, Shakespeare & Company is an extraordinary cultural institution with a rich legacy of performance, training, and education. I am inspired by its commitment to bold life-changing artistry and its role as a cornerstone of the Berkshires’ vibrant arts landscape. I look forward to building on 50 years, and supporting a thriving, sustainable future as an arts leader of our community and across the country.”
Her appointment reflects the interconnected nature of the Berkshires arts scene, where artists and organizations often move between institutions and collaborate across disciplines. Merrihew emphasized that sense of shared purpose.
“The Berkshires are home to a strong network of artists and cultural organizations,” she said. “I’m committed to supporting that spirit of partnership across the region.”
At Shakespeare & Company, Merrihew will oversee administrative and operational leadership, working in partnership with Burrows and the Board of Trustees. She steps into the role at a moment of financial stability for the organization, which recently paid off its mortgage and has reported two consecutive seasons of strong box office sales.
Merrihew holds a master’s degree in Arts Administration from Boston University and an undergraduate degree from SUNY Potsdam, along with a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources from Cornell University, and brings more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit theater and the broader arts sector.
Opportunities for the public to meet Merrihew in her new role are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, including the company’s third annual Community Day on Saturday, May 23. For more information, visit shakespeare.org.
Photo Caption: Molly Merrihew has been appointed Executive Director of Shakespeare & Company. Photo by Outdoor Chronicles Photography
ABOUT SHAKESPEARE & COMPANY
Shakespeare & Company was founded in 1978 by Tina Packer. Located in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, the Company offers performance, education, and actor-training opportunities year-round and attracts more than 40,000 patrons annually with a core of more than 150 artists.
ABOUT MOLLY MERRIHEW
Molly is an arts executive and nonprofit leader with more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit theatre and the for-profit arts and entertainment sector. She has worked collaboratively with organizations, artists, and clients ranging from grassroots ensembles to multimillion-dollar non-profit institutions and for-profit creative enterprises. Molly is a proud advocate of the Berkshire arts community, and her consulting work has also brought her to Boston and New York City. From activist art in found spaces to large-scale Shakespearean festivals and award-winning audiobook launches, Molly is energized by passionate artists, creative thinkers, and an innate curiosity to meet new people and learn new things. Recent work experience includes spending the past six years at WAM Theatre as Managing Director. Previously, Molly spent eight years at Shakespeare & Company working in Public Relations and Marketing. Molly also spent four years as Artistic Associate, curating and producing the WAM Theatre Fresh Takes Play Reading Series. Before moving to the Berkshires, Molly worked at the Florida Studio Theatre in communications and patron services. In addition to her full-time work, Molly has led consulting projects for artist organizations and projects in a variety of roles, including lead strategist, project manager, and fundraising support. Molly holds a Graduate Certificate from Cornell University in Human Resources, an M.S. in Arts Administration and Fundraising Management from Boston University. She graduated with a B.A. in Theatre and English-Creative Writing from the State University of New York at Potsdam. Most recently, Molly completed the Transformational Leadership Program for Non-Profit Leaders at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. Connect with Molly on LinkedIn or on Instagram at @Mollycreative. She looks forward to welcoming you to the Shakespeare & Company campus soon.
