Jonathan Norton Named Interim Artistic Director of Dallas Theater Center

Dallas playwright Jonathan Norton has been appointed interim artistic director of the Dallas Theater Center (DTC), following the departure of Sarahbeth Grossman and the promotion of Kevin Moriarty to executive director. Norton, who has served as DTC’s resident playwright since 2019, will lead the organization while the board of directors conducts a national search for a permanent Enloe/Rose Artistic Director, expected to be appointed in late 2025.

A Longstanding Presence in the Dallas Arts Scene

Norton has been a significant figure in the Dallas arts community for nearly a decade. His plays penny candy, Cake Ladies and I AM DELIVERED’T have all premiered at the DTC. His work has also been produced or developed by theaters including Actors Theatre of Louisville, La Jolla Playhouse, and TheatreSquared. He first gained recognition as a breakout talent, having graduated from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

Transition of Leadership at DTC

The transition follows Kevin Moriarty’s move from artistic director to executive director in 2023, after serving in the artistic director role since 2007. Prior to Norton’s appointment as interim artistic director, Moriarty, Norton, and Grossman shared artistic responsibilities, including season planning. Grossman’s recent departure prompted the need for an interim leader.

New Play: Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem

Norton is currently working on a new play, Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem, a co-production with TheatreSquared, City Theatre Company, and Virginia Stage Company. The play, commissioned by TheatreSquared in 2023, explores the unlikely friendship between Malcolm X and Redd Foxx when they both worked as dishwashers in Harlem in 1943. The play premiered in October 2024 at TheatreSquared and will open at the DTC in May 2026.

A Playwright’s Perspective on Leadership

Moriarty expressed his confidence in Norton’s ability to lead the DTC, highlighting his contributions as a writer, season planner, and collaborator with the Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company. Norton’s appointment as interim artistic director is structured to allow him to continue his work as a playwright, reflecting the board’s recognition of his artistic contributions.

Deep Vellum’s Commitment to Dallas Stories

Deep Vellum, a Dallas-based publisher, released penny candy as its first play title in 2019, recognizing the importance of representing Dallas stories in literature. Will Evans, CEO of Deep Vellum, emphasized the significance of Norton’s work in planting roots that bridge time and place.

Sources: Dallas Theater Center Press Release, American Theatre, WRR 101, KERA News