Leon Seemann was named deputy director of Cultural Tourism DC in October 2010. He previously served as Cultural Tourism DC's director of operations. Seemann brings more than nine years of nonprofit financial and operational experience. 

As general manager of Studio Theatre he oversaw the administration of a theatre and acting conservancy that produced 11 productions per year with a $4 million budget, 32 full time staff, 7 apprentices, and over 350 students per year. His contributions to the theatre helped it to grow both financially, from a budget of $2.5 million to $4 million, and physically expanding from a two-theatre 23,000 square foot building to a four-theatre, 53,000 square foot performing arts complex. Studio Theatre is now a leading performing arts venue in the nation’s capital.

Seemann’s daily responsibilities included supervision of senior staff and the theatre’s apprentice program. Additionally, he oversaw finance, human resources, facilities management and information technology.

Highlights of his tenure as general manager include cross-coordination of departments, resulting in a savings of more than $50,000 per year, the purchase and renovation of two apartment buildings to create reliable housing options for out of town artists, and development of an apprentice program that attracts talented college students to work at the theatre.

Prior to becoming general manager, Seemann served as director of business and technology. In this capacity, he oversaw the research and implementation of a new central database, participated in a five-year strategic plan, and assisted the Managing Director with a $13 million renovation of the primary facility. In his eight years with Studio Theatre, he also held positions of director of business and personnel management and business manager.

Seemann holds a BS in Theatre Administration with a minor in Business from Towson University (Towson, Maryland). He has also pursued graduate work at the International Center for Hebrew, Jewish, and Israeli studies at the WUJS Institute, in Arad, Israel.

Photo credit: Donovan Marks © 2007