The Nebraska Shakespeare Festival board has named Kim Mickelsen and Mark Prauner as interim co-chairmen, replacing Melissa Marvin.
Marvin said her exit had been planned for some time. Mickelsen heads Bozell advertising agency. Prauner is senior vice president of corporate accounting at Mutual of Omaha.
The board also named Mary Ann Bamber executive director of the festival, a new title. Bamber had been managing director.
The board began discussions late last month on replacing Cindy Phaneuf, the festival's artistic director, whose resignation is effective in January.
Mickelsen said that it was unclear whether a new artistic director would be in place in time for next summer's festival but that the board is committed to holding a festival in the usual late-June and early July time period.
Prauner said the festival's balance sheet is stronger than it was a year ago, thanks to increased support from donors and theatergoers. Because of that strength, the board restored $6,500 in planned cuts to the festival's fall tour, which takes Shakespeare to the schools.
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