Following a national search, Trinity Repertory Company, the State Theater of Rhode Island, has named the highly accomplished Tom Parrish as executive director. Parrish takes over from Michael Gennaro, who left in February to take a similar position at renowned Goodspeed Musicals. Parrish will begin his role full-time in Providence in late fall.

Parrish has an extraordinary range of theater management experience, most recently as executive director of Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, N.Y. Parrish’s distinguished theater management career includes development and implementation of Geva’s strategic plan, which resulted in a highly successful capital campaign, dramatic annual fundraising growth, and continued status as one of the country’s most attended and subscribed-to regional theaters.

Prior to his positon at Geva, Parrish was the executive director of Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell, Mass., and associate managing director/general manager of San Diego Repertory Theatre. Parrish has also worked in various capacities at Arena Stage, Dallas Theater Center, The Cleveland Play House, Meadow Brook Theatre, Dobama Theater and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He received an M.B.A and an M.A. in arts administration from Southern Methodist University, a B.A. in theater arts and economics from Case Western Reserve University, and attended the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center.

“We are thrilled that such an outstanding theater professional is joining the Trinity team,” says Suzanne Magaziner, chair of the Trinity Repertory Company Board of Trustees. “The fact that Trinity has attracted such a high level of talent speaks volumes about the national stature that Trinity has attained in the theater world. Tom has been instrumental in growing and strengthening every organization he has managed, and we are confident that in partnership with Artistic Director Curt Columbus, he will help lead Trinity to new heights of artistic and financial success. We look forward to working with him as we begin the next half-century of Trinity’s history as a vital cultural, educational and economic force in Rhode Island and Southeastern New England.”

“Trinity Repertory Company has an outstanding reputation as one of the country’s finest theater companies, and I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to build on that tradition of artistic and organizational success,” Parrish said. “Curt has done such a wonderful job, and I look forward to collaborating with him and the entire Trinity team and sharing in their commitment to artistic excellence. And I can’t wait to be a part of Rhode Island’s dynamic creative community.”

“Tom is a successful and seasoned leader in the American Theater, and I’m delighted he’s joining our team,” said Artistic Director Curt Columbus. “He has a track record of being a strong community player in every organization he has led, which makes him a perfect fit for Trinity and our partners in the Arts here in Rhode Island. He already has the support of our resident acting company, as well as the board and staff, which makes him an exciting partner for me. I look forward to collaborating with him on making Trinity’s next chapter a thrilling one.”