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Metropolis in Arlington Hts. seeks new director

After Arlington Heights officials earlier this week agreed to continue funding the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre through the end of the fiscal year while looking for a long-term fix for the struggling theater, the theater's board is taking the first step forward: searching for a new executive director.

The Metropolis board of directors announced Wednesday that it has begun the search for a new leader of the performing arts center. Former director Charlie Beck left in May, and the theater has been led by former board member Neil Scheufler in the interim.

The new executive director will be chosen by a committee of Metropolis board members led by acting board president Tom O'Rourke, according to a news release. Former Metropolis board president Joe Lynn recently stepped down to focus on his family.

"The executive director will be the face of the organization and charged with focusing on quality productions and learning opportunities that are directly connected to the organization's current and future supporters - to the village itself," O'Rourke said in the statement. "He/she will begin their assignment by recognizing the great support of our donors, sponsors, citizenry, business community and village administration, and nurturing those relationships."

When agreeing to give the theater another $450,000 to pay off debts and stay open through April 2015, village officials said a new executive director will be important to determining the future of Metropolis.

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