Randall Arney - Artistic Director

Randall Arney has been a theater professional for over 30 years, and has served as Artistic Director of the Geffen Playhouse since 1999.  For the Geffen, in addition to his artistic programming and oversight, Arney’s directing credits include Superior Donuts by Tracy Letts, The Female of the Species by Joanna Murray-Smith, Speed-the-Plow by David Mamet, All My Sons by Arthur Miller, Richard Greenberg’s Take Me Out, Stephen Jeffries’ I Just Stopped by to See the Man, Rebecca Gilman’s Boy Gets Girl, David Rambo’s God’s Man in Texas and Conor McPherson’s  The Weir and The Seafarer. 

He is an ensemble member and former Artistic Director of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre where his directing credits include The Seafarer, I Just Stopped by to See the Man, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Death and the Maiden, Curse of the Starving Class, Bang, A Walk in the Woods, Killers and The Geography of Luck.  Arney also directed the world premiere of Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile at Steppenwolf, as well as the subsequent Los Angeles (Westwood Playhouse, Drama-Logue Critic’s Award), Off-Broadway, San Francisco, Washington D. C. and Tokyo productions. 

As the Artistic Director for Steppenwolf from 1987 to 1995, he oversaw the design, creation and completion of a new state-of-the-art theater which is Steppenwolf’s current home.  Broadway transfers under his leadership include The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, The Song of Jacob Zulu (six Tony Award nominations) and The Grapes of Wrath (1990 Tony Award, Best Play), Mr. Arney’s acting credits with Steppenwolf include Born Yesterday, Ghost in the Machine, The Homecoming, Frank’s Wild Years, You Can’t Take it with You, Fool for Love, True West, Balm in Gilead and Coyote Ugly.  On film he has appeared in Normal and Weapons of Mass Distraction (HBO), Mystery, Alaska, The Out-of-Towners, Chain Reaction and The Color of Money.  Mr. Arney has an MFA degree in Acting from Illinois State University and has taught acting and directing at UCLA and Columbia College in Chicago and Illinois State University.  He has also held master classes and workshops at Steppenwolf, around the U. S. and in Tokyo.

Ken Novice - Managing Director

Ken Novice's career in the professional theatre spans 25 years and over 250 productions. Prior to joining Geffen Playhouse, he served as Managing Director and Director of External Affairs at Pasadena Playhouse where his credits include the revival of Fences starring Laurence Fishburne and Angela Basset and the world premieres of Sister Act the Musical, Ray Charles Live, Stormy Weather starring Lesley Uggams and many others. He was Director of Marketing and Public Relations for San Diego's Tony Award-winning Old Globe Theatre where his credits include Jack O'Brien's acclaimed revival of Damn Yankees, the Tony Award-nominated musical The Full Monty, Henry IV starring John Goodman and Sheldon Epp's Tony-nominated hit Play On! among many others.

His credits also include marketing and public relations for the Tony Award-winning Denver Center Theater Company and New York's Circle Repertory Company. As Director of Programming for YouthStream Media Networks he developed national marketing and public relations programs for most of Hollywood's major motion picture studios. Novice also served as Head of the Theatre Management MFA/MBA program at California State University, Long Beach and has been a guest lecturer at San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego. He holds a BA from the Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from San Diego State University.

Frank G. Mancuso - Chairman of the Board

Frank G. Mancuso has had a distinguished career in the entertainment and communication industry spanning four decades, culminating with his leadership of Paramount Pictures Corporation and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. as Chairman/CEO.  During his tenure at MGM, he successfully revived the renowned studio including acquiring both Orion Pictures Corporation and Polygram Filmed Entertainment and effectively led MGM through the process of once again becoming a public company. 

Mr. Mancuso came to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. from Paramount Pictures Corporation, where his career covered nearly thirty-two years. During his tenure at Paramount he oversaw many memorable film triumphs and television successes.  He also partnered with MCA/Universal to build the USA cable network into one of the most-watched cable networks in the country. 

He has been honored by many national and international organizations for his achievements and contributions to the entertainment industry.  During his forty-five year career, he has given freely of his time and talents to numerous charitable and not-for-profit industry-related organizations.  Frank and his wife, Fay, have two children:  Maria, a mother and fashion designer, and Frank, Jr., a father and an independent motion picture and television producer.