Synetic Theater is pleased to announce the hiring of Jason Najjoum as Managing Director.
Mr. Najjoum comes to Synetic with over a decade of experience in the arts and culture space and valuable background in the for-profit sector. A graduate of the MFA program at Yale School of Drama with an MBA from Yale School of Management, Jason Najjoum will lead Synetic’s administrative and artistic teams in supporting the vision of company co-founders Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili. Mr. Najjoum’s hiring follows the previously planned departure of Synetic’s Managing Director of over three years Linda Holder.
“Jason’s expertise in arts management will be an incredible asset for Synetic as our organization continues to grow,” said Founding Artistic Director Paata Tsikurishvili, adding It is very exciting to think of the places Synetic can go with Jason at the helm.”
“It’s a dream come true to have the opportunity to catalyze the thriving of one of the most innovative, acclaimed arts organizations in the nation while, at the same time, supporting the vitality of my home region,” said Najjoum. “Between Synetic’s main stage track record and its transformative education programs, there is so much goodness to leverage. The exciting question we have to answer is what’s our vision for the next decade, and my challenge is building the organizational capacity to match it. We can’t wait to figure it out and then manifest it over the next few years with the continued support of our community.”
More about Jason Najjoum
Jason Najjoum was recently the Managing Editor for the Yale Theater Management Knowledge Base, where he oversaw its strategic planning process and designed the first integrated people development system for an arts organization. Previously, he served as Company Manager for Yale Repertory Theatre, Public Service Fellow for New Haven’s Department of Arts, Culture, and Tourism, and Management Fellow for Baltimore Center Stage. Prior to joining New Haven’s nonprofit arts community, Jason served as Producing Director for New York Theatre Barn in New York City, where he developed the work of over 50 musical theater writers through NYTB’s signature new work development and community building program. Jason has served numerous other theater and arts organizations across the country as a producer, general manager, and casting director including Prospect Theater Company, The Cell, and New York Music Theater Festival.
Jason’s arts background is augmented by several transformative experiences in the private sector. Most recently, he was a Senior Associate at McChrystal Group, a global advisory services and leadership development firm advising a global energy company on internal communications, culture change, and decision-making. Prior to that, he was a Senior Management Associate for Bridgewater Associates, where he was trained in their principles-based management system.
Jason earned a Master of Fine Arts in Theater Management from Yale School of Drama, a Master of Business Administration from Yale School of Management, a Bachelor of Arts in Music and History from Emory University, and is a graduate of the Commercial Theater Institute. Jason co-founded the Analyzing and Mobilizing Privilege Group at Yale School of Drama and previously served on the board of directors of an Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services nonprofit in New Haven, CT. He is trained as an intercultural group facilitator and is an active member of Resource Generation, a multiracial membership community of young people with wealth or class privilege committed to the equitable distribution of wealth, land, and power. Jason is a native of Northern Virginia and currently resides in the U Street Corridor of Washington, DC.
About Synetic Theater
Founded in 1996 by the husband and wife team of Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili, Synetic Theater is a center for American Physical Theater, fusing dynamic art forms-such as text, drama, movement, acrobatics, dance, and original music. Synetic has received a total of 95 Helen Hayes Award nominations and 27 Awards for directing, choreography, acting, costume design, and best play.
Address: 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA 22202
Metro: Crystal City (Blue / Yellow Lines)
Parking: Free after 4pm on weekdays, Free all day on weekends.
Box Office: 866.811.4111 or www.synetictheater.org
