Jason Laks, who has been serving as The Broadway League’s Interim President since Charlotte St. Martin retired from the group final February, has been appointed the group’s new president.
The League, the nationwide commerce affiliation for theater homeowners, producers, presenters and basic managers, has introduced the appointment of Laks as its new President following what the group described as an in depth nationwide search.
In an announcement, Kristin Caskey, Chair of The Broadway League’s Board of Governors, stated, “Over the previous 10 months, now we have launched into a considerate and thorough course of round this crucial resolution. After a nationwide search and intensive interview course of, we consider Jason is the suitable chief for the League at this important time in our trade. Jason’s detailed information of the trade, wealthy relationships with membership, and steadfast dedication to the well being of Broadway – each in New York and on the highway – make him a really perfect selection.”
Laks stated in an announcement, “I’m so humbled by this chance. I’ve been in love with Broadway since I used to be a child watching touring productions at Proctors Theater in Schenectady. The magic that occurs on stage each night time in theaters right here in New York and throughout the nation is exclusive and irreplaceable. That is such a important second for Broadway. The League represents folks from all corners of this trade, and I’m able to work with our members and our companions to guide us to new heights.”
St. Martin’s departure and Laks’ appointment have come at a important time in Broadway historical past, with the trade nonetheless recovering from the historic 18-month Covid pandemic shutdown that started in March 2020. Whereas 40 of the 41 Broadway theaters are at present occupied by exhibits, whole attendance nonetheless lags behind the record-setting pre-pandemic season of 2018-19 season when 14.8 million folks attended Broadway exhibits; the 2023-24 season topped out at 12.3 million.
Attendance for the present Broadway season – 2024-25 – is outpacing final 12 months by about 12%, with figures by way of November 24, the twenty seventh week of the Broadway season, at 7,034,748 in comparison with 6,266,119 for a similar interval final 12 months.
Along with having served because the League’s Interim President, Laks additionally served as its Common Counsel by way of the post-pandemic interval. He initially joined the Broadway League in 2012 and returned once more in 2021 because the Common Counsel and Government Vice President of Labor Relations. Previous to re-joining the League, he was Senior Vice President at NBCUniversal, overseeing labor relations for his or her broadcast and cable tv, sports activities and owned station operations.
The search course of for a brand new president was steered by a committee chaired by producer Sue Frost that included League Board Chair Caskey, Maggie Brohn, Rashad Chambers, Jeff Daniel, Jon Ekeberg, Andrew Flatt, Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, Aaron Lustbader, Jimmy Nederlander Jr., Lauren Reid, Christina Selby and David Stone. The manager search agency Russell Reynolds Associates led the search in collaboration with the committee.
