Acting Loft Energizes Community Involvement with
New Artistic Director Appointment
Theatre Company Hires John Sefel to Spearhead New Programming. 

Manchester, NH -  March 26, 2007 - The Acting Loft, Manchester’s non-profit educational theatre,
today announced it has named John Sefel as its new Producing Artistic Director. The award-winning
actor/director brings an accomplished resume and a reputation of creativity and innovation to the Acting
Loft’s well-established performance and education repertoire.

John’s own theatrical accomplishments compliment the organization, as does his well-known commitment
to civic programs and community improvement. 

“We’re looking ahead to a great new chapter,” said Charles Basbas, President of the Acting Loft’s
Board of Directors. “John is working with Leah Belanger, our Education Director, to integrate our
education and performance programs in imaginative new ways to better serve our students, local actors,
and the community.” 

“I’m excited about the overwhelming love so many of the Acting Loft’s supporters have for the
organization, and the unlimited potential of the program,” said John Sefel. “The Acting Loft has always
offered its community fantastic educational programs, and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to help the group
evolve, grow, and thrive. There is so much that’s great about this organization.  We’re now celebrating
that, and building from there.”

John has been performing and directing throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire for over fifteen
years. Before joining the Acting Loft, he served as the Artistic Director of the award-winning Ghostlight
Theater Co., and served on the boards of the Fringe Players of Northern Essex, Majestic Theatre Trust
in Manchester, NH, and the Troupe de la Sockspeare of Modesto, CA. As a theatrical artist, his work
has been recognized by the New Hampshire Theatre Awards, the New Hampshire Community Theatre
Festival, the New England Regional Festival, the Kennedy Center’s ACTF program, the Eugene O’Neill
Theatre’s National Critics’ Institute, and the Firehouse Center for the Arts. 

About the Acting Loft
The Acting Loft Academy of Performing Arts is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) Educational Theatre Facility.
Founded over ten years ago, the organization operates at 516 Pine Street in the heart of Downtown
Manchester. It’s continuing mission is to provide quality theatrical education and productions for students,
performers, and audiences of all ages in the Southern New Hampshire region.