Max Quinlan will step down this summer as producing artistic director of Greenville Theatre to accept an executive producer position with New York City-based NETworks Productions, a company that oversees more than a dozen Broadway touring productions across the country.
Quinlan will begin the new role in early July following the conclusion of Greenville Theatre’s 100th anniversary season. He will continue to serve Greenville Theatre as an artistic consultant while working remotely from Greenville.
“It was a challenging decision, but this company aligns with my personal mission, which has always been to bring Broadway-caliber production directly to the people,” Quinlan said. “I’ve been fortunate to do that at Greenville Theatre, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to do that across America.”
NETworks Productions manages national tours of major musicals and plays. Quinlan’s first assignment will be producing the 20th anniversary national tour of “Jersey Boys,” the Tony Award-winning hit musical which Quinlan staged last year at Greenville Theatre.
Quinlan said he had not been seeking a new position but NETworks sought him out. He will oversee all aspects of several national touring musicals, from casting to recruiting the creative team and supervising rehearsals.
His departure marks a major leadership transition for Greenville Theatre, the oldest and largest locally produced nonprofit theater in the Upstate.
During his tenure, the theater mounted ambitious productions including “A Chorus Line,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Sister Act” and “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” among others. Quinlan often directed the shows.
He also oversaw renovations to the stage and orchestra pit, helped organize the theater’s 100th-anniversary gala featuring Broadway star Norm Lewis, and launched the “$100 for 100 Years” fundraising campaign to raise $1 million for facility improvements.
The board of directors will begin a nationwide search for Quinlan’s successor. The current producing artistic director role will be divided into two positions: executive director and artistic director.
Current general manager Aimée Quattlebaum will become interim managing director in July.
‘Part of a family’
Carl Sykes, chairman of the theater’s board, praised Quinlan for both his artistic and financial leadership of the theater.
“He has greatly elevated Greenville Theatre and the Greenville arts community, and he did it with kindness,” Sykes said.
“He has made new people and longtime Greenville actors feel welcome and part of a family. People love him.”
Kristofer Parker, a frequent Greenville Theatre actor and the theater manager for the Mauldin Cultural Center, said Quinlan makes all stakeholders feel valued.
“He cares so much about the experiences of everyone — the audience, the actors, and production team members, and it really shows on the stage,” Parker said.
As an artistic consultant, Quinlan will be readily available to the theater as an adviser and may direct a show in the future.
“Luckily, I’m able to stay in Greenville because much of the job is done remotely,” Quinlan said. “My wife and I love being members of this community.”
Quinlan’s wife, Broadway actress Siri Howard, has a long list of credits and has appeared in Greenville Theatre productions and as a soloist with the Greenville Symphony.
“My goal was always to support the vision of the theater to uplift the community and shine a spotlight on the incredibly talented artists we have in this area,” Quinlan said. “Being a part of this organization has been one of the great honors of my life.”
