The board of the American Theatre Wing has given president and CEO Heather Hitchens a new five-year contract.
Since Hitchens came to the Wing in 2011, the organization has tripled its operating budget and expanded its grant-making and professional development programs. Hitchens also spearheaded the integration of the OBIE Awards into the Wing, formally bringing off- and off-off-Broadway into the organization. She was also a driving force in strengthening and extending the reach of the Tony Awards and helped the Wing reconceive its “Working in the Theatre” public access television show.
In recent years, Hitchens has shepherded new initiatives like the Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative and the Gavin Creel Fellowship to help support and diversify the next generation of theater professionals. She also brought back the National Theatre Company Grants to support regional theaters producing new work.
“We have to…invite people to the theater in different kinds of ways,” she told Broadway News’ Ruthie Fierberg in a 2024 interview. “What are we putting onstage that gets people to walk in the door makes them think theater is for them?”
The Wing has also announced that Hitchens has promoted Wing team members Ian Weiss to the role of vice president and Ann Marie Gong to chief of staff.
“Weiss has played a central role in expanding and elevating the Wing’s digital presence and storytelling, shaping how the organization engages artists, audiences and the broader theater community,” the board said in a statement. As part of his work, Weiss has served as director, producer and sometimes editor of the “Working in the Theatre” docuseries. The series has been nominated for Daytime Emmy Awards six times.
Gong joined the Wing in 2023, having been involved in administration at a wide range of New York cultural institutions. “Gong has been instrumental in strengthening internal operations, supporting board and staff leadership and ensuring organizational alignment during a period of growth and transition,” wrote the board.
“Promoting Ian Weiss and Ann Marie Gong recognizes the leadership they already bring to the Wing and ensures we are well positioned to expand our impact and continue serving artists across the country,” said Hitchens. “I’m thrilled to continue my work with the American Theatre Wing at a moment of real momentum for the organization.”
“It was a great joy to be the chair when Heather was hired, and now help guide this important process at such a pivotal moment,” said interim board chair Ted Chapin, who will also be leading the Wing’s board through a strategic governance review. “The Wing has grown and flourished beautifully not only thanks to Heather and her team, but also to the phenomenal efforts of the Wing board of trustees.”
