PlayhouseSquare's Gina Vernaci Named President of IPN

PlayhouseSquare's Senior Vice President of Theater Operations Gina Vernaci has been elected President of the Independent Presenters Network {IPN} at the semi-annual conference in Tampa, FL. Vernaci will serve a two-year term - the first woman to hold that position and only the fourth president in the organization's 20-year existence. IPN's slate of officers include Rich Baker (Fox Associates, St. Louis) and Norbert Mongeon (Providence Center, Rhode Island).

Commenting on the work of IPN, Vernaci says, "The IPN is a network of high-performing presenters from across America. Like those of us at PlayhouseSquare, they are living and working in our communities, building strong relationships with our audiences and local businesses. That support is one of the many reasons that these markets are consistent high performers and high grossing engagements. We are living it day in and day out."

IPN represents 42 markets as a consortium of the leading for-profit and not-for-profit presenters and producers of shows on Broadway and touring productions such as: The Color Purple; Spamalot; Legally Blonde; La Cage aux Folles; Frost/Nixon; Wonderland and Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands.

The group meets in London and New York City on review opportunities to invest in developing musicals and plays and to refine business practices that continue to build audiences across the nation. These markets represent combined season ticket holders in excess of 400,000.

At PlayhouseSquare, Vernaci oversees its theatrical operations (programming, community engagement and education, front of house operations, marketing & sales). Since joining Playhouse Square in 1984, she has been responsible for: the booking of 1000-plus annual performances for the 11 stages that comprise the performing arts complex; PlayhouseSquare's annual KeyBank Broadway Series; concerts; dance and comedy.

Vernaci's talents as a producer include the production of "Sondheim on Sondheim" (co-produced with Great Lakes Theater). She is a Tony Award voter and a member of the board of governors and executive committee for the Broadway League, which honored her with its Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management award. Vernaci graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and holds a masters degree in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University.

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