David Hawkanson

Steppenwolf Theatre announced last week that David Hawkanson, former managing director of the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, was selected as the organization’s new executive director. Hawkanson replaces Michael Gennaro, who left the theatre in April after seven years at the helm.

Since September 2002, Hawkanson has served the theatre in a consulting role, making his assumption of the leadership position a “natural” fit according to insiders.

“[Hawkanson] has the complete skill set,” Gennaro said. “He is an extremely accomplished manager, and personally I don’t think there is a better person in the country who could go in there.”

Gennaro left Steppenwolf to join the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey as chief executive officer. He said the position offered some advantages, including proximity to his extended family and the Playhouse’s musical heritage. (Gennaro’s father was Peter Gennaro, a famous dancer and choreographer.)

Ben Cameron, executive director for the Theatre Communications Group, has known both Gennaro and Hawkanson for several years. He said Gennaro and Martha Lavey, Steppenwolf’s artistic director, were a spectacular force in theatre that lead to Steppenwolf’s stabilization and artistic flowering in the 1990s.

Cameron adds, “Both [Hawkanson and Gennaro] are deeply skilled managers...everyone in American theatre is going to say 'boy does this make sense.’”

Hawkanson will take the reigns in August. His professional career spans 30 years in theatre, including six years at Guthrie Theater and eight years as managing director of the Connecticut’s Hartford Stage Company. During his stint at Hartford, the stage won a Tony Award for Outstanding Achievement in Regional Theater. In Minneapolis, Hawkanson oversaw growth of $8.5 million in operating expenditures at the Guthrie Theater, as well as the company’s new $125 million theatre complex.

After he left the Guthrie Theater, Hawkanson started an arts management consulting practice in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Through the business, he worked with theatres nationwide, including Steppenwolf and the Court Theater. His contract with the Court Theater should conclude just as he assumes his position with Steppenwolf in August, he said.

“I’m looking forward to spending time in one place,” Hawkanson said. As for the Steppenwolf, he envisions growth in real estate acquisitions and infrastructure enhancements.