Steven Libman

Steven Libman (born October 5, 1959) is a nationally recognized performing arts leader known for producing dance, theatre and multi-disciplinary performing arts series. His career spans more than three decades and he has previously managed the Pittsburgh Ballet, the La Jolla Playhouse and the Carmel Center for the Performing Arts. He is also an author, public speaker and is currently the co-host of "The Voice of the Performing Arts,"^[1] a weekly public radio show devoted to the importance of arts education. Currently, Libman is the Chief Advancement Officer for Atlanta Ballet, and the President of The Libman Group, a consulting firm that works exclusively in the performing and visual arts arena.

Early life

Steven Libman was born on October 5, 1959 in Providence, RI. He is the son of Marilyn (deceased) and Herman Libman. He has a brother Scott.

Libman grew up in Rhode Island and the family moved to Harrisburg, PA when he was in the sixth grade where they stayed for three years. Libman then moved back to Rhode Island, went to high school (Cranston High School East) and then Rhode Island College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Performing Arts Management in 1981.

Career

Early in Libman's career, he served as Managing Director of the Auburn Civic Theatre and the Fulton Opera House before being named Managing Director of the Pittsburgh Ballet, where he spent 17 years. While with the Pittsburgh Ballet, Libman broke new ground in funder relations, raising more than $50 million. He developed ground breaking ballets set to jazz and the music of Paul Simon, Pete Seeger,^[2] Sting and Bruce Springsteen. Libman also established tours to Taiwan, Wolf Trap (Washington, DC), The Hollywood Bowl and The Joyce Theatre in New York City. When he left the ballet, he was the longest-serving arts executive in the city and one of the two longest-serving managing directors of major ballet companies in North America.

From 2005 to 2008, Libman served as Managing Director and the chief administrative officer at the Tony Award winning La Jolla Playhouse. He ran a four venue complex that produced over 300 performances per season, and produced 28 plays, including ten world premiers.

Libman was the CEO of the The Center for the Performing Arts^[3] in Carmel, IN from 2009 to 2011. While there, he produced two major opening night festival galas^[4] with: Michael Feinstein, Chris Botti, Neil Sedaka, Dionne Warwick, David Hyde Pierce and dancers from American Ballet Theatre. He also produced a PBS special with Michael Feinstein seen by 11 million viewers. The special titled "Michael Feinstein: The Sinatra Project^[5]" was nominated for Outstanding Music Direction at the 64th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Libman has taught graduate courses in fundraising and leadership at the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and University of California, San Diego. He currently guest lectures for and serves on the National Panel on Cultural Tourism for the Janklow Arts Leadership Program at Syracuse University. Libman is the Chief Advancement Officer for Atlanta Ballet, the President of The Libman Group, a consulting firm specializing in the Performing Arts and co-host of "The Voice of the Performing Arts" radio show. The Voice of the Performing Arts debuted on March 30, 2013 ^[6] and airs weekly on public radio station WICR 88.7 at the University of Indianapolis.

Awards

In 2000 Libman was awarded as an Outstanding Alumnus in the Arts by Rhode Island College. Libman also has certificates in Non-profit Management and Strategic Planning from the Harvard Business School and the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

In 2008 Libman was awarded a Leadership Advancement Award by the Irvine Foundation. He has served on the boards of the following organizations: Dance/USA, La Jolla Country Day School, City National Bank Advisory Board, and the AGMA Retirement and Health Funds.

Personal life

Libman has a daughter Tracy and two grandchildren. Libman is married to Carol Killworth and was married to Keitha Libman from 1980-2013.

References

External links

• The Libman Group