Long Beach Playhouse cuts staff, ends search for executive director

The Long Beach Playhouse will layoff six employees and cancel its search for a new executive director as part of a staff reorganization plan, officials said Monday. Instead of an executive director, the playhouse named Andrew Vonderschmitt to the position of producing artistic director. Liz Lydic, who served as interim executive director following the departure of Lauren Morris, will stay on as business and operations manager through the end of March. A search is underway to permanently fill the position. The playhouse also announced it would reduce its 12-member staff to six full-tile and two contract positions. "The reduced staffing level is a return to the operating model in place in previous years," said Shirley Guy, playhouse board president.