McCarter Theatre Center’s Executive Director Martin Miller announced Oct. 15 that, through McCarter’s Legacy Giving program, the theater’s esteemed former director of special programming, William “Bill” W. Lockwood, Jr., has made a planned gift via the Princeton Area Community Foundation to support the director of presented programming position at McCarter in perpetuity.
In recognition of his generosity, Lockwood’s former position, now held by Paula Abreu, will be designated the William Lockwood, Jr. Chair.
“From my first day at McCarter, Bill has been a steadfast supporter of my work. In the three years since, I have come to know his deep love and devotion to McCarter, and we have developed a bond rooted in mutual respect and admiration. I am inspired by his generosity and honored to carry forward the legacy he has entrusted with this gift,” said Abreu.
Lockwood’s association with McCarter spans more than 60 years, beginning as a Princeton University undergraduate (Class of 1959) booking events out of his dorm room. Over many decades, he curated thousands of performers, supported emerging artists who went on to become household names and helped shape McCarter’s reputation as one of the nation’s leading venues for the performing arts.
“Mention Bill’s name and you will inevitably earn a warm smile and, usually, a wonderful story in reply,” said Miller. “As we move towards McCarter’s 100th Anniversary, we are humbled by Bill’s faith in this company’s future. Planned gifts toward McCarter’s endowment provide a sustaining source of funds and help us enduringly honor a donor’s legacy. Though Bill’s legacy was already secure at McCarter, this commitment adds an exclamation point — and underline — to his 60 years of tireless work on behalf of this community.”
