FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCONOMOWOC, WI – October 16, 2018. The Oconomowoc Area School District (OASD) announced today that John Cramer has accepted the District's offer to become the new Director of the Oconomowoc Arts Center (OAC). Cramer will replace longtime Director, Michael Duncan, upon his retirement in November.
This is an exciting time for the Performing Arts in Oconomowoc. The OASD is proud to have Cramer join the OAC staff and volunteers who work endless hours to showcase student talent and attract professional programming throughout the year.
Superintendent Dr. Roger Rindo stated, "We are so happy to welcome John to the Oconomowoc Area School District and the OAC. His extensive experience in arts administration, his local and regional connections, and rich development experience make him exceptionally well-suited to take the OAC to the next level. Michael Duncan's retirement leaves large shoes to fill, but John Cramer is up to the task."
"I am excited about John Cramer becoming the next director of the OAC. I have worked with and for John on numerous projects over the past 20 years. John served as my associate artistic and education director at Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove. John brings a panoply of professional arts experience including directing, producing, presenting and every aspect of arts administration to the table. He will be an invaluable addition to the OAC future", added Current OAC Director Michael Duncan.
Cramer brings artistic excellence, education, community engagement and is a successful theater-maker. He joins the OAC with more than 20 years of theater management and theater education experience. Providing leadership and supervision as the Managing Artistic Director for all operations most recently at the Waukesha Civic Theatre in Waukesha, WI, he managed production, administration, budget, marketing, fund development, and education. He also worked previously at The Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove, WI, as the Associate Artistic Director and Director of The Sunset School for the Arts coordinating auditions, creating staging, implementing a theatre school curriculum and all other details associated with running theater programs.
John Cramer added, "I am incredibly grateful for and excited about the opportunity to bring my experience in theater arts to the OAC. I look forward to continuing the strong programming that is already in place, and providing the vision and leadership to move forward with confidence and enthusiasm."
Cramer holds a bachelor's degree in Drama from the University of Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI, and a Study of Theatre Arts from Mankato State University, Mankato, MN.
Cramer's contract pends approval at the OASD School Board meeting on October 16.
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