Gettysburg College’s Majestic Theater announces the arrival of new executive director Brett W. Messenger, who joins the theater’s team after an extensive and competitive national search. Messenger succeeds Jeffrey Gabel, who retired as the Majestic’s founding executive director in early 2024.
“This is certainly an exciting time for our Majestic Theater and for our entire Gettysburg community. Given Brett Messenger’s impressive experience, innovative approach, and passion for the arts, we are confident he will build upon Jeffrey Gabel’s stellar work and author the next great chapter in the Majestic’s storied history,” said Bob Iuliano, President of Gettysburg College.
“Brett is a dynamic young arts administrator who has all the talents needed to lead the Majestic Theater into an exciting, second century of college and community, consequential engagement,” said Founding Executive Director Jeffrey Gabel.
Prior to his arrival in Gettysburg, Messenger served as Curatorial Director of Live Arts at the Morris Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate located in Morristown, N.J, operating their 312-seat Bickford Theatre. While there, he spearheaded the creation of a dynamic performing arts series, showcasing world premieres of theatre, music, dance, interdisciplinary projects, jazz, film, rock, and lectures.
Messenger previously held posts at the Santa Fe Opera, and Montclair State University’s Peak Performances where he produced an internationally acclaimed performance series and orchestrated major campus events, including an event featuring the late Associate Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“I am incredibly excited to join the dynamic team of professionals here at the Majestic! Everyone here has given me such a hospitable welcome – it didn’t take long at all for me to realize what a truly remarkable community Gettysburg is,” said Messenger. “I look forward to getting to know our audiences, both on campus and off, and to getting to know them better through shared experiences in the arts.
Messenger takes the helm at the Majestic during a transformative period in the 98-year-old theater’s history. This August, the theater launches its 19th live performance season since its grand restoration and reopening in 2004 with 1964 The Tribute on August 9. Several additional performances have already been announced and go on sale June 21. Messenger plans to schedule additional world-class performances for the upcoming season, as well as planning for the Majestic’s centennial season in 2025-2026.
Gettysburg College’s Majestic Theater at the LeVan Performing Arts Center in downtown Gettysburg is open year-round and presents a diverse lineup of live performances by national and international performing artists, as well as a nightly lineup of independent, foreign and classic films. The Majestic also serves as the rehearsal and performance venue for the major instrumental ensembles of the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College.