"True Blood" Star Joins Board of Directors at Bay Street Theatre

Chris Bauer, star of HBO's hit "True Blood" and a Sag Harbor resident, has joined the board of directors at , and he said he's looking forward to strengthening his ties with his hometown.

Over the summer, Bauer performed at Bay Street for the first time when he starred in Romance. He said the experience left him proud to be a resident of Sag Harbor, and he said he is excited to become more involved with the theater on a more hands-on level.

"I was so impressed with the audience there this summer. I found them diverse, intelligent, supportive, good humored, and willing," said Bauer. As an actor, he said, there is nothing more in an audience that you could ask for.

In a press release from Bay Street Theater, Artistic Directors Sybil Christopher and Murphy Davis said that it is a privilege to have Bauer join on the board, and are heartened by the fact that he is excited and eager to serve.

"We feel so lucky and thank Chris for his incredible belief in and support of Bay Street Theater," said Christopher and Davis in a joint statement.

Bauer shared the same sentiment when he talked about the Bay Street staff on Monday. He said Christopher, Davis, Tracy Mitchell, and the entire staff are as devoted inspired, and talented as anyone he knows in the theater.

"The theater has such a respected past, by writers, directors, and actors alike. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to participate in the lifeblood of such an important part of my hometown," he said.

Bauer is currently busy filming in Los Angeles for the fourth season in his current role of Detective Andy Bellefleur on "True Blood," and will return to Sag Harbor when they wrap a few months down the road.

"I look forward to strengthening ties with the village and surrounding community, and introducing my talented peers from around the country to the opportunity to create at Bay Street."

Bauer is also well-known for his role in HBO's "The Wire," where he played port-union boss Frank Sobotka. In addition to movie roles, like in The Devil's Advocate, and television appearances, he also performed with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, an award-winning company, early in his career. He has also performed on Broadway in A Streetcar Named Desire.