South Coast Repertory has hired a new...

South Coast Repertory has hired a new senior executive and promoted another in shifting to “a new management structure” designed to free producing artistic director David Emmes from day-to-day operations and give him more time for new artistic projects and long-term planning, company officials announced Wednesday.

Sue Ann Van Gemert has been hired for the new post of director of advancement, replacing former director of development Louise Cummings, who resigned April 23. In addition to taking over Cummings’ annual fund-raising duties, Gemert will oversee SCR’s capital endowment funding and “cultivation of new leadership” among the theater’s volunteers, an SCR spokesman said. Gemert came from USC, where she was an assistant vice president responsible for regional advancement.

Additionally, director of theater operations Paul Hammond has been promoted to the new post of associate producer and will function as SCR’s chief operating officer, the spokesman said. Hammond will team with general manager Paula Tomei, who will continue as chief financial officer. Together they will head the senior staff comprised of Gemert, director of marketing John Mouledoux and production manager Edward Lapine. Emmes, who shares the leadership of the Costa Mesa theater company with artistic director Martin Benson, will continue as chief executive.