WAM Theatre Announces Leadership Transition
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LENOX, Mass. — The Board of Directors of WAM Theatre, in partnership with Artistic Director Genée Coreno, announced a leadership transition as Managing Director Molly Merrihew steps into the role of Executive Director at Shakespeare & Company. WAM Theatre promotes General Manager Erin Patrick into the role of Managing Director at WAM.
Patrick will oversee WAM's production management and daily operations, working in close partnership with Coreno to support the organization's continued artistic and organizational growth. Coreno will continue to lead the institution's steady growth as a cultural leader and activist institution centering gender equality and growing impact for women and girls in the Berkshires and beyond.
"It has been one of the great honors of my career to serve WAM Theatre," said Merrihew. "WAM is a remarkable organization grounded in artistry, activism, and community, and I am profoundly grateful to the staff, artists, board, and audiences who make this work possible. Their collective efforts continue to expand creative opportunities for women and girls in the Berkshires and beyond, and have deeply shaped me as a leader. I carry these stories and experiences with me as I step into this new role."
Coreno shared: "Molly was an extraordinary partner in guiding WAM through a period of growth, innovation, and deepened community connection. She leads with both rigor and heart, and her strategic insight and care have shaped WAM in lasting ways. This transition reflects something we believe deeply in: the importance of investing in the continued legacy of the Berkshires as a place where women thrive in leadership."
Coreno continued: "there is nothing more powerful than witnessing the women in your life claim their vision and purpose—carrying their ideas and instincts into lived reality. While I will miss Molly, deeply, I feel a profound sense of excitement and pride in watching her step into this next chapter at Shakespeare & Company. Her leadership will be transformative."
During her six-year tenure as Managing Director, Merrihew co-led WAM Theatre through a period of expanded programming, strengthened governance, and deepened engagement across the Berkshires community. Her leadership has helped advance WAM's mission of creating theatre for gender equity, and building a strong legacy of arts activism in the Berkshires.
"I have tremendous confidence in Genee's artistry and leadership, and it has been a joy to work alongside her these past three years," Merrihew said. "Kristen van Ginhoven (WAM's Founding Artistic Director and current Executive Director at SAGE Center), and Genee have deeply impacted my work and journey as an arts leader, they continue to inspire me daily. The strength and commitment of WAM's current team and board is felt deeply– we are in thoughtful and capable hands in Genee and Erin, and I'm excited about WAM's future and the continued expansion of its mission, impact, and reach."
"Over the past six years, Molly has been at the heart of WAM Theatre's strength and growth. She joined us on the eve of the pandemic and helped lead us through that moment with determination and care, and later played a key role in guiding the organization through an important leadership transition. She has been a passionate voice for women in theatre and a dedicated arts advocate in the Berkshires," said Board Vice President Carolyn Butler. "Molly has left an indelible mark on WAM, and while we will miss her deeply, we are thrilled for her as she steps into this next chapter. We look forward to continuing to work alongside her in new ways—and above all, we are grateful to call her not just a remarkable leader, but someone we truly love."
Merrihew's appointment at Shakespeare & Company reflects the strength and interconnectedness of the region's cultural ecosystem.
"The Berkshires are home to an extraordinary community of arts organizations that uplift one another through collaboration and shared purpose," Merrihew said. "I am deeply committed to that spirit of partnership and to ensuring that our collective work continues to flourish."
"Erin brings a powerful track record in arts leadership, the perspective of a local business owner, and a sharp financial lens—already transforming WAM's budgeting to fuel both stability and bold artistic growth, while also moving our values into practice across programming and production. Her leadership signals not just continuity, but momentum, and we are thrilled to welcome Erin Patrick as she carries WAM forward with the strength and steadiness the role requires," said Artistic Director Genee Coreno.
"I am so proud to be able to step into leadership at WAM at this key moment of growth and deepening for the organization," said Erin Patrick, Incoming Managing Director. "Now more than ever it feels vital to engage deeply in amplifying women's voices and investing in women's vision, opportunity, and leadership. I believe the team at WAM is uniquely positioned to carry that mission forward into our new chapter."
"I am thrilled that Erin Patrick will bring her gracious, clear, and realistic approach to her new role as WAM's Managing Director of Operations, Finance, and Production," said Board President Deb Brothers. "Her strong collaborative skills and her dedication to WAM's mission of advocating for women's and girls' stories in the theatre have rightfully earned her this advancement. Erin leads with assurance and confidence, having already proven her immense value as WAM's General Manager. She is the ideal person to guide the organization's continued growth as our Managing Director in this next chapter."
