BEDSOW QUITS PERFORMING ARTS POST

Len Bedsow, executive director of the Orange County Performing Arts Center, who had been delaying his retirement until a successor could be hired, has quit the post, although officials report “no progress” in finding a new top administrator.

According to center board president William Lund, Bedsow’s departure took effect Feb. 1. Bedsow is, however, expected to be available as a consultant for the rest of 1985. “He (Bedsow) has vacation plans to finalize and he felt he could stay on no longer,” Lund said.

Last June, Bedsow, 67--named the center’s first executive director four years ago--announced that he was retiring, effective Dec. 31. He cited as reasons his age and job stress. He also said it had been his intention to step down once the center had opened or was close to completion.

(The center’s main facility--a 3,000-seat multipurpose theater--has been under construction in Costa Mesa’s South Coast Plaza Town Center since July, 1983. The theater, along with a 300-seat “black box” facility, is scheduled to open in fall, 1986.)

Last January, Lund announced a center recruitment panel had decided on Bedsow’s successor and would submit its formal recommendation to the board within three weeks. But Lund later disclosed negotiations with the “final candidate” had collapsed and that the search had to be renewed.

“We have nothing to report (on a choice), except we are still looking,” Lund said.

Final scheduling for the 1986-87 opening season--including possible appearances of the New York City Opera Company and American Ballet Theatre--may not be reached until the new executive director “is on board,” Lund said, adding that appearances by the Orange County Pacific Symphony are also under consideration.