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The Signature Theater has tapped Maggie Boland, director of external affairs at D.C.'s Arena Stage, to become its new managing director. She succeeds Sam Sweet, who ankled the position last fall.

Boland has been an Arena staffer since 1998 and its external affairs chief for the past five years. Since 2006, her duties have included managing the theater's $125 million Next Stage Campaign for construction of a new facility.

Signature recently completed its own building campaign and has moved into a new $16 million facility in the Shirlington section of Arlington. The company now faces fresh challenges as it broadens its agenda in the new space.

Signature artistic director Eric Schaeffer praised Boland's enthusiasm and vision as the theater concentrates on developing new musicals and plays. He said her selection followed a nationwide search for a new managing director.

Earlier this month, Signature kicked off its Kander and Ebb season with a revival of "Kiss of the Spider Woman."