Second Stage Theater, a New York City-based nonprofit theater company known for championing living American playwrights, has announced the appointment of nine new members to its board of trustees. Second Stage produces shows on Broadway at the Hayes Theatre as well as Off-Broadway. Board co-chairs Terry Lindsay and Kevin Brockman made the announcement on Feb. 26.
The additions come as Second Stage continues to look ahead to the future under the leadership of artistic director Evan Cabnet and incoming executive director Adam Siegel. According to Lindsay and Brockman, the new trustees offer valuable perspectives that will help guide the theater as it enters an exciting new phase.
“We are pleased to welcome these exceptional individuals to our board,” said Lindsay and Brockman in a joint statement. “They bring a range of experiences and expertise that will help lead us forward as we chart the future of Second Stage.”
Among the new appointees is Lauren W. Bright, chief legal officer and corporate secretary for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Bright previously worked with nonprofit clients at the law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and is chair of the board of Gettysburg College, where she received her bachelor’s degree.
Also joining is Alyse Graham, a former U.S. prosecutor, law professor and educator. Graham, a lifelong theater enthusiast, serves on several boards and noted she is passionate about supporting democratic principles and strong educational foundations.
Mari Nakachi also joins the board. She is a lawyer, producer and co-founder of Lakeville Productions, which is committed to bridging cultural and linguistic divides through film and theater. Nakachi has over two decades of experience producing acclaimed stage productions, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Dinner with Friends.”
Adrian Perry, partner at Covington & Burling LLP and co-chair of the firm’s entertainment and media industry group, brings extensive legal experience in the entertainment, sports and technology sectors. Perry is also a musician, having played with or opened for renowned bands, like Aerosmith, and worked on “Saturday Night Live.”
Sarah Pontius, co-CEO and COO of Artisan Alliance, has a robust background in real estate, mergers, acquisitions and corporate strategy. She co-founded Artisan Alliance in 2020 after serving as global head of partnerships for WeWork and as senior vice president of advisory service for CBRE. She is a member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s board.
Brynn Putnam, founder and former CEO of Mirror, is a former professional ballet dancer, started Mirror (a health and fitness company) and now serves on the boards of New York City Ballet and the leadership council at Robin Hood.
Pesha Rudnick, the founding artistic director of Local Theater Company in Boulder, Colorado, joins with a deep background in developing new American plays. Rudnick now serves on the board of Local and as a faculty member at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Mo Sakurai, CEO of jewelry company Catbird NYC, brings experience in luxury brand management, having previously worked with Louis Vuitton and David Yurman. Sakurai serves on several boards, including Prep for Prep.
Finally, Christopher Skinner, chief revenue officer of Front Row, brings knowledge of consumer engagement and brand management. Skinner is a former musician and founder of theatrical production firm Sons of the Lifeguard.
This group of nine join board members Mia Campbell, Debra Martin Chase, Margaret Dees, Laurie Erlandson, Tony Goldwyn, Mary Tavener Holmes, Wendy Evans Joseph, Janet Lynne Knopf, Sarah Kupferman, Gina Maria Leonetti, Dre Taylor Lindsay, Robert Nash, Alice Pacthod, Gabrielle London Palitz, Bambi Putnam, Nathan E. Saint-Amand, Stephen C. Sherrill, Stewart R. Smith, John Sorkin, Angela Sun, Natasa Valocchi, Susan Wasserstein and Candace K. Weir.
Cabnet expressed enthusiasm about the board: “I am honored to work with such a talented, dedicated and generous group of people.”
Second Stage Theater, founded in 1979, has a long history of producing award-winning plays, including the 2024 Tony Award-winning play “Appropriate” and the Off-Broadway premiere of 2017 Tony-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen.”
