Vienna, Virginia (November 18, 2016) – Peter Zimmerman, Senior Director, Program and Production at Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, has announced his resignation, effective this month, after 17 years leading Wolf Trap’s artistic programming. Zimmerman’s resignation follows a medical leave of absence after he suffered a massive stroke earlier this year. He is currently progressing towards recovery.
“In bocca al lupo. My time at Wolf Trap has been deeply rewarding and I am grateful to all the people who have made Wolf Trap a wonderful place to come to work every day,” said Zimmerman. “I’ve had incredible opportunities to work with some of the finest artists, agents and managers in the business, not to mention the wonderful colleagues at Wolf Trap Foundation and Wolf Trap National Park. I’m looking forward to this next chapter, which will certainly include many visits to Wolf Trap to enjoy shows.”
Zimmerman is widely respected amongst his peers and music-industry leaders for booking an incredible array of diverse, in-demand and highly attended shows at Wolf Trap’s venues: the Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts and The Barns at Wolf Trap. He joined the Foundation as the Director of Program and Production in March 1999, and was promoted to Senior Director in February 2014. In both roles, he oversaw all non-classical programming, including booking major acts and sold-out performances, such as The Fray, Lionel Richie, OneRepublic, Marc Anthony, Tony Bennett, Kesha, American Ballet Theatre, Paul Simon, Goo Goo Dolls, James Taylor, Wynton Marsalis, Jackson Browne, Alison Krauss, Diana Krall, and hundreds of others.
During Zimmerman’s tenure, Wolf Trap earned awards and recognition as a leading outdoor venue, including Pollstar’s Best Small Amphitheatre Worldwide Award (2003) and the #3 ranking in Pollstar’s Worldwide Ticket Sales for the Top 100 Amphitheatre Venues (2012). In 2013, he received the “Excellence in Presenting the Performing Arts” annual award from The North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents Association, one of the highest awards in the industry, in recognition of his exceptional dedication, professionalism and collegiality.
Zimmerman started his career as a professional actor/singer/dancer in theater, television and film, and then worked as an educator teaching at the elementary, high school and university levels. After nine years at The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State University, he assumed the role of Executive Director and CEO of The Colonial Theatre Group in Keene, New Hampshire. In this capacity, he booked film series and live performances, and raised funds for, and oversaw the complete restoration of, the 1921 Vaudeville Palace.
Throughout his career, Zimmerman was active in several professional organizations, including the Association of Performing Arts Presenters and Pollstar. He is a trustee on the Pension and Welfare Board of the local stagehands union - I.A.T.S.E Local 22.
“It is a pleasure and honor to work alongside Peter,” said Arvind Manocha, President and CEO of Wolf Trap Foundation. “His commitment to Wolf Trap and to being a good colleague has always been at the forefront. His mark on Wolf Trap is indelible, both in terms of the artists on our stages and the culture we share in the office. The entire Wolf Trap community thanks Peter for his enormous contributions to Wolf Trap, and looks forward to seeing him back to enjoy shows.”
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Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, produces and presents a full range of performance and education programs in the Greater Washington area, as well as nationally. Wolf Trap features three performance venues: the outdoor Filene Center and Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, both located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and The Barns at Wolf Trap, located down the road from the national park and adjacent to the Center for Education at Wolf Trap. The 7,028-seat Filene Center is operated in partnership with the National Park Service and annually showcases an extensive array of diverse artists, ranging from pop, country, folk, and blues to classical music, dance, and theatre, as well as multimedia presentations, from May through September. The Barns at Wolf Trap is operated by the Wolf Trap Foundation year round, and during the summer months is home to the Grammy-nominated Wolf Trap Opera, one of America’s outstanding resident ensemble programs for young opera singers. Wolf Trap’s education programs include the nationally acclaimed Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, a diverse array of arts education classes, grants, and a nationally recognized internship program.
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