Gary Hygom was last the producing director for Bay Street Theater of Sag Harbor.
Now he takes the helm as executive director at Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Hygom, who lives in Mattituck, worked for 20 years at the 299-seat theater in Sag Harbor, where he was responsible for developing what’s described in the announcement as “innovative programming, such as a classic American film series featuring special celebrity guests like Julie Andrews, Alec Baldwin, Lauren Bacall and Eli Wallach to name a few, interviewed by renowned film critic Jeffrey Lyons.”
“I could not be more excited to take on this wonderful new challenge, creating new programming and working within a diverse and vibrant community,” Hygom said in a statement. “I look forward to collaborating with the board of directors, building on their 19 years of success and establishing this beautiful venue as a major performing arts center.”
Helping him lead the recently renovated, 1,106-seat Patchogue theater in “a new creative direction,” according to the announcement, will be theater board member Christopher Capobianco, who will serve as the nonprofit theater group’s new chair. Capobianco will replace Barbara Kane, who has served more than 10 years on the theater board. He assumes his position on June 5.
“This is a big moment for Patchogue Theatre as we seek to expand our reach as a regional performing arts center while continuing to nurture and support the thriving local arts scene here in Patchogue,” said Capobianco.
Kane will remain on the board and will chair a new grants committee, said a theater spokesperson.
According to the announcement, Hygom wore many hats in Sag Harbor, from the development and implementation of programming, to the negotiation of contracts for artistic staff, to the management of Bay Street’s three main stage summer shows.
