Millburn-Short Hills Magazine Back to School 2020 | Page 35

Submit your ideas for neighbors to [email protected] neighbors 12 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT Mark S. Hoebee Paper Mill Playhouse producer continues to champion the power of theater WRITTEN BY KAITLYN KANZLER Mark Hoebee, the Paper Mill Playhouse’s producing artistic director, dreamed as achild of being an Olympic gymnast who would travel across the world, compete internationally and perform great feats of physical strength. He was sidelined by atorn ligament during his freshman year of high school, but the setback positioned him to realize his life’s true passion —theater. Hecurrently lives in Glen Ridge with his partner, Larry Elardo, broadcast coordinating producer for the CBS Evening News and CBS Sunday Morning, and their two children. Here are 12things toknow about Mark S. Hoebee, and how the Paper Mill Playhouse is coping during the coronavirus pandemic. COURTESY OF THE PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE HE SEGUED EASILY FROM GYMNASTICS TO PERFORMANCE Hoebee, who grew up in Freehold Township, says he took up theater as a hobby after his injury. “I realized quickly, through my flexibility and agility, that dance came very naturally to me,” he says. AND THE AWARD GOES TO The Paper Mill Playhouse’s Producing Artistic Director, Mark S. Hoebee (right) and Managing Director, Todd Schmidt, proudly display their 2016 Tony Award for Best Regional Theater. MILLBURN &SHORT HILLS BACK TO SCHOOL 2020 33