Dear Patrons,

It is with bittersweet love and sadness that I announce that I have made the decision that The Pear’s 23rd Season will be my last.

January will mark five years that I’ve had the honor and privilege to helm The Pear. The Pear is a magical place, and throughout my time here, I’m proud of the new and inventive ways that we’ve allowed The Pear to feel like home. I’m incredibly proud of our reputation, our work culture, and the truly remarkable things we’ve been able to do together. Remembering our packed 11-show Season 20, thinking about all of the magical Core Community programming we’ve been able to explore, and all of the new work we’ve been able to explore, are at the top of a very long list of things that I will always remember fondly and miss.

But circumstances are different now than they were in January 2020 and, after some long and challenging reflection, now is the time to move in a new direction. I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I am grateful for my time at The Pear and with this remarkable community.

But you aren’t getting rid of me yet. I’m looking forward to making Season 23 the best one yet. And I’m excited to support The Pear Board in finding the next phenomenal leader of The Pear.

Thank you so much for trusting me with this lovely theatre for the past five years.

Sinjin

Dear Patrons,

Today at our Season Announcement Party, Sinjin had some important news to share: Season 23 will be his last season as Executive Artistic Director of the Pear.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to share my deep gratitude to Sinjin for his extraordinary leadership, dedication, and vision over these past four-and-a-half years. Sinjin joined the Pear in early 2020, shortly before the pandemic hit. Sinjin not only helped the Pear stay afloat during a time when the whole world felt shut down, but he helped us thrive, adapt, and emerge stronger. Under his leadership, the Pear has defined and embraced its core values: Transformation, Passion, Education, Community, and IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Liberation), and has set and met strategic goals designed to embody those values.

Sinjin’s tenure as EAD has included some unforgettable productions, including innovatively-staged classics like Noises Off, lyrical and magical works like Metamorphoses and Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea, and poignant, powerful works like Sunset Baby and The Chinese Lady. He has also nurtured local writers by presenting world premieres, including our currently-running, critically acclaimed Chaplin and Keaton on the Set of Limelight. In addition to our mainstage offerings, Sinjin has helped us forge new connections–launching our Core Community events, partnering with local theatres for co-productions, and growing our education program to reach a new generation of theatre artists and patrons.

In collaboration with Sinjin, the Board has now begun the process of searching for a new Artistic Director, whom we plan to have in place by early 2025. While we know that finding someone to fill Sinjin’s shoes will be a challenge, we are confident that the talented theatre community here in the Bay Area will rise to meet it. In the meantime, Sinjin will continue to oversee our ambitious, immersive Season 23, and we anticipate that it will be the Pear’s best season yet.

The Board extends its deepest gratitude and best wishes to Sinjin. Whatever the future may bring, he will always be part of our Pear family.

Best,
Bridgette Dutta Portman
President, Board of Directors | The Pear Theatre