Philadelphia Performing Arts Center President Steps Down from RPAC Position
May 1, 2001
Willard G. Rouse III, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Regional Performing Arts Center, today announced that its President, Stephanie W. Naidoff, Esquire, will be stepping down but continuing to serve as a consultant to the organization.
The Regional Performing Arts Center (RPAC), a non-profit organization, was established to construct and manage the new Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts that will open December 16, 2001. In addition, RPAC is expected to operate the Academy of Music, also located on South Broad Street, Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts.
Willard G. Rouse said, "We wooed Stephanie to our cause and she immediately took charge. The incredibly successful fund raising effort to date, and the fact that we are only eight months from opening The Kimmel Center, demonstrates her extraordinary accomplishments. We have a dazzling building rising on Broad Street, raised an astounding $253 million, and are looking forward to a fabulous inaugural season featuring some of the world’s greatest performing artists to begin this winter. We could not have done this without Stephanie’s extraordinarily able leadership. While we’re saddened to see Stephanie leaving her leadership role, we’re delighted she’ll continue as a consultant."
"Getting this project off the ground has been, by far, the most gratifying achievement of my professional life. At the time I was tapped to lead the Regional Performing Arts Center, the site was still a parking lot and the brilliant idea of an RPAC still in need of definition. It has been a pleasure to work with the extradordinary RPAC staff and Board, and I’m now prepared to hand the administrative role to a new president and to help in that transition," said Naidoff.
Naidoff, who was previously with Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in Philadelphia, left the practice of law in 1996 to lead the RPAC organization.
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, designed by renowned architect Rafael Viñoly, is named in honor of its most generous individual donor, Sidney Kimmel, chairman of Jones Apparel Group. The Kimmel Center encompasses Verizon Hall, the new state-of-the-art home of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Perelman Theater.
With its spectacular, glass-vaulted roof, The Kimmel Center has become a symbol of excitement and cultural dynamism. It is a key piece of Philadelphia’s burgeoning hospitality-based economy. The project has also been a catalytic force in spurring the development of prime real estate along South Broad Street, including the recent opening of The Ritz Carlton Hotel.
"RPAC will aggressively continue to pursue its mission to create a great new home for The Philadelphia Orchestra, our resident companies, and to enhance the arts and entertainment environment for all of Philadelphia. We are thankful for Stephanie’s continued assistance in achieving our goals. Our aspiration is to join the ranks of the great performing art centers of the world," Rouse stated. "Mr. Viñoly’s building is a part of this, Russell Johnson’s acoustic plan is another part, but it is ultimately great people behind the scenes, on the stage and in the audience who will make the building and our broader mission come alive."
The executive committee of the Board expects to hire an interim president while a search committee of the Board conducts a nationwide review for a permanent replacement. Mr. Rouse and senior management will handle day to day operations until the interim president is found.
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