Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Mourns the Death of Former Executive Director Amy Sullivan

[Waterford] - The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center marks the passing of Amy Sullivan, who served as Executive Director of the organization from September 2003 through January 2007. Ms. Sullivan died on June 10 after a long battle with cancer. She resigned her position as Executive Director for health reasons, and remained as a consultant after leaving her full-time responsibilities at the O'Neill.

Ms. Sullivan has been credited with several initiatives leading to increased organizational and fiscal stability and artistic rejuvenation at the O'Neill. During her tenure as Executive Director the O'Neill added a new development conference for Cabaret and Performance, initiated an accredited National Theater Institute summer learning program, renovated and reopened the National Historic Landmark Monte Cristo Cottage (boyhood home of Nobel Prize-winning playwright Eugene O'Neill and the setting for both Long Day's Journey Into Night and Ah, Wilderness!), and spearheaded the O'Neill's purchase of the house next door to the Monte Cristo Cottage (also once owned by the O'Neill family) with funding from the State of Connecticut. She also steered and participated in the search for an Artistic Director for the O'Neill's National Playwrights Conference, one of the flagship developmental programs of the O'Neill that has established it as the pre-eminent developmental laboratory for new works and new artists. This search that led to the hiring of Wendy C. Goldberg, the NPC's current Artistic Director.

Preston Whiteway, the O'Neill's Executive Director and formerly General Manager under Ms. Sullivan, commented, ÒAmy's loss is a profound one. The reason the O'Neill is now on firmer financial ground and in an artistic renaissance is due largely to the foundation Amy laid. Her drive and absolute love for the O'Neill inspired so many. I will miss her deeply.Ó

Chairman of the Board Tom Viertel noted, ÒAmy was a great spirit. She believed in the O'Neill. She was a determined, positive and graceful leader, and her impact on the O'Neill and its family of artists was huge. We will all miss her so much both as a personal friend and a beloved colleague.Ó

Amy Sullivan received a B.A. cum laude in English Literature & Theater Arts from Upsala College, East Orange, New Jersey. She later graduated from the two year program of acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater, studying with Sanford Meisner. Following a performance career, she was a Program Director for the American Theater Wing and a special assistant to Broadway producers Robert Whitehead and Elliot Martin before entering and graduating from the Yale School of Drama's MFA program in Arts Administration. She began her relationship with the O'Neill when she served as its Development Director from 1993-1995. She then served as Director of Major Gifts at Connecticut College and as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement of the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, Connecticut. She was recognized by the State of Connecticut and on the floor of the House of Representatives for her work in furthering the arts in Connecticut. Ms. Sullivan lectured on fundraising at the Yale School of Drama and other arts organizations throughout Connecticut. She also served as a panelist for the Connecticut Commission on the Arts. She was active as a member and Trustee of Connecticut arts organizations including the Florence Griswold Museum and Young Audiences of Connecticut.

Ms. Sullivan was a resident of Old Lyme, Connecticut. She is survived by her husband, Bruce Josephy and son, Dan. Services are private; a memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, 305 Great Neck Road, Waterford, CT 06385, or the Father Michael J. McGivney Center for Cancer Care, 1450 Chapel St., New Haven, CT 06511.