Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts Announces New Executive Leadership 
Ben Vitale (From press release)
Photo credit: Benny Migliorino 

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (LONG ISLAND) - June 1, 2017 - Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts (PTPA) has named Gary Hygom, producing director, Bay Street Theater of Sag Harbor, as its new executive director and appointed Christopher Capobianco, current PTPA board member, as the new chairperson of the board of directors. Capobianco will replace current Board Chairperson Barbara Kane, who has served more than 10 years on the theater board. Gary Hygom, who will report to the board of directors, will assume his position as executive director on June 5. Capobianco assumes his new role immediately. Together they will work to lead Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts in a new creative direction.

Gary Hygom brings a new vision to Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, after 20 years of working at the 299-seat Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, where he was the producing director. At Bay Street Theater, Hygom was responsible for developing innovative programming, such as a classic American film series featuring special celebrity guests like Julie Andrews, Alec Baldwin, Lauren Bacall and Eli Wallach to name a few, interviewed by renowned film critic Jeffrey Lyons.

Gary Hygom said: "I could not be more excited to take on this wonderful new challenge, creating new programming and working within a diverse and vibrant community." He continued, "I look forward to collaborating with the board of directors, building on their 19 years of success and establishing this beautiful venue as a major performing arts center."

In 2004, Hygom needed to shift creative directions at Bay Street Theater. He took a fading cabaret series on Monday nights and replaced it with a headline comedy series featuring up-and-coming comedians. Some of those comedians, like Zach Galifianakis and Amy Schumer, later went on to become comedy gold and have since appeared in numerous Hollywood blockbusters like "The Hangover" film series and "Trainwreck." Hygom has also been credited with bringing live music back to Bay Street Theater. He has attracted everyone from local musicians to G.E. Smith and Roger Waters.

Newly appointed PTPA Board Chairperson Christopher Capobianco said:

"The board looks forward to working with Gary as he brings tremendous talent and more than 20 years experience working in theater and the arts to our organization." He added, "This is a big moment for Patchogue Theatre as we seek to expand our reach as a regional performing arts center while continuing to nurture and support the thriving local arts scene here in Patchogue."

Board Chairperson Christopher Capobianco has been involved with Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, since the nonprofit organization's first call for volunteers in 1999. He was asked to join the organization's board of directors in 2005, and soon after that he curated the popular local music series, "Live in the Lobby," which ran for 12 seasons. His passion, and that of his fellow lobby volunteers, made "The Lobby," as it's called, one of the premier intimate venues on Long Island for local original music.

Capobianco also organized the first Patchogue Folk Festival and the first Patchogue Arts Festival. He helped the Patchogue Arts Council (PAC) establish the PAC Lobby Art Gallery and encouraged Worldwide Voices, another nonprofit organization, to bring its local musical theater series "The New Musicals Project" to Patchogue Theatre.

  Photo credit: Benny Migliorino

Also published on: https://patch.com/new-york/patchogue/patchogue-theatre-performing-arts-announces-new-executive-leadership

 
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