New Leadership Takes the Stage: Artistic Director Appointments at Regional Theatres
Washington, D.C., Dallas, Nashville, and New York City – A wave of new artistic leadership is set to reshape the landscape of American regional theatre. Four prominent theatre companies have announced incoming artistic directors, signaling a period of potential growth and innovation. These appointments – at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Dallas Theatre Center, Nashville Repertory Theatre, and Skylight Theatre Company – represent a important moment for each association and the wider theatrical community.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre company Welcomes Reggie D. White
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., has appointed Reggie D. white as its third artistic director in its 46-year history. White, a multifaceted artist with experience as an actor, director, playwright, educator, and arts strategist, will assume the role in spring 2026. He succeeds Maria Manuela Goyanes,who stepped down in September 2025,and Howard Shalwitz,the company’s co-founder who led Woolly Mammoth for 38 years.
Prior to this appointment, White served as the senior director of artistic strategy and impact at Arena Stage. His play, Fremont Ave, which premiered at Arena Stage, received an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award and is slated for a production at South Coast Repertory. White’s extensive background also includes roles at Atlantic Acting School (as artistic director), Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (as associate artistic director), Vineyard Theatre (as resident artist), and contributions to Broadway productions like Matthew López’s The Inheritance and Goddess at the Public Theater.
White has outlined a extensive vision for his tenure at Woolly Mammoth, focusing on engaging with staff, artists, audiences, and the D.C.theatre community. He plans to review programming and commissioning opportunities, deepen community partnerships and accessibility initiatives, and reinforce the theatre’s commitment to antiracism and equity. His leadership will also be instrumental in shaping the company’s strategic vision as it approaches its 50th anniversary.
Dallas Theater Center Names Jaime Castañeda as Artistic Director
The Dallas Theater Center (DTC) has named Jaime Castañeda, a Texas native, as its sixth artistic director. Castañeda will begin his role in July 2026, working in partnership with executive director and former artistic director Kevin Moriarty. He takes the reins from current interim artistic director and resident playwright Jonathan Norton, who will complete the 2025-26 season, including a production of his play Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem.
Castañeda brings a wealth of directing experience from leading regional theatres, including American conservatory Theater, South Coast Repertory, Huntington Theatre Company, and La Jolla Playhouse, where he served as associate artistic director from 2014 to 2018. He also has a strong Off-Broadway background, having worked as an artistic associate at Atlantic Theater Company from 2009 to 2014. Notably, Castañeda previously directed DTC’s production of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz in 2012.
Early in his career, Castañeda founded Firestarter Productions while attending Texas Christian University, establishing his roots in the Dallas-Fort Worth theatre scene. His additional local credits include work with Kitchen Dog Theater and Amphibian Stage.
Nashville Rep and Skylight Theatre Company also Announce New Leadership
Alongside these prominent appointments, Nashville repertory Theatre has named Jessica Francis Fichter as its incoming artistic director, and Gary Grossman is departing as the producing artistic director of Skylight Theatre Company.These changes further demonstrate a period of transition and renewal within the American
LOS ANGELES: John Watson, a prolific director, writer, and producer, has been named the new artistic director of the Actors’ Gang. Watson succeeds Tim robbins, who stepped down after 38 years at the helm. Watson’s extensive background includes directing and producing for the stage and screen, with credits at esteemed theatres such as Antaeus Theatre Company, Rogue Machine Theatre, road Theatre, Ensemble Theatre Company, Fountain Theatre, New American Theatre, and more.In film and TV, Watson wrote, directed and produced the comedy series Break a Hip and the Miramax feature film Our Very Own starring Allison Janney.
NASHVILLE: Nashville Repertory Theatre has announced that Jessica Francis Fichter will be its new artistic director, filling the role held by Micah-Shane Brewer. Fichter’s appointment reflects Nashville Rep’s commitment to bold storytelling and deeper community connection, by welcoming new audiences, supporting emerging voices, and producing theatre that reflects and celebrates the people of Middle Tennessee. Fichter is a director, playwright, book author, and teaching artist whose national career spans the Carolinas to New York. She comes from Trustus Theater in Columbia, South Carolina, where she was the executive artistic director and directed Into the Woods, Aida, Dandelion (original musical), Stupid Fucking Bird, and Little Shop of Horrors. She is the founder and artistic director of Evolving Door Theatre Company. She has worked with Food of Love NYC,Flat Rock Playhouse,Ensemble Atria,the Edge Theatre,the Connelly Theater,The Tank,Feinstein’s/54 Below,and more. She holds an MFA in directing from the Actors Studio Drama School, a BA in theatre education from Winthrop University, and an MEd in divergent learning from Columbia College.
PORTLAND: profile Theatre, Portland’s resident playwright-focused theatre company, has announced that its new managing director
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