Arts Leadership Shifts: Latest Directors Appointed at Classical Theatre of Harlem, Childsplay, A Noise Within, and Portland Center Stage

The American theatre landscape is experiencing a wave of leadership changes, with new artistic and managing directors taking the helm at several prominent regional theatres. These appointments signal a period of growth and renewed vision for the Classical Theatre of Harlem, Childsplay, A Noise Within, and Portland Center Stage at The Armory.

Classical Theatre of Harlem Welcomes Chris Berry as Managing Director

The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) has appointed Chris Berry as its new Managing Director. Berry, an accomplished artist, educator, and arts leader, joins CTH’s executive team as the organization strives to become a leading American theatre company rooted in Harlem and reflective of the African diaspora. He brings over a decade of leadership experience in nonprofit theatre, arts education, and national cultural organizations.

Most recently, Berry served as Executive Director of The Playwrights Realm, where he focused on strategic growth and strengthening the organization’s infrastructure. His previous roles include Arts Director at the Penumbra Center for Racial Healing, President and National Conference Planner of the Black Theatre Network, and Director of Education and Humanities and Program Director of the Black Arts Institute at the Billie Holiday Theatre. Berry has also held positions as an Assistant Professor of Theatre at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Florida A&M University. He holds a BFA in Acting from North Carolina A&T State University and an MFA in acting from Brown University/Trinity Rep. He has worked as a dialect coach for productions such as Signature Theatre’s The Hot Wing King and the television show P-Valley. Broadway World reported the appointment on February 27, 2026.

Childsplay Names Anthony Runfola as Artistic Director

In Phoenix, Arizona, Childsplay has named TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) theatre leader Anthony Runfola as its new Artistic Director. Runfola will be the company’s third artistic director, succeeding Dwayne Hartford and founder David Saar, beginning his tenure on June 1st.

Runfola returns to Childsplay after serving as Artistic Director of Magik Theatre from 2019 to 2025. He previously spent two decades at Childsplay as the Director of Production, overseeing over 150 productions and contributing to new play development, including Tomás and the Library Lady and The Sun Serpent. At Magik Theatre, he led the company in inclusive storytelling and community partnerships, commissioning and directing world premieres such as Lyric and the Keys and Eddie & Vinnie. Under his leadership, Magik Theatre was recognized as “Best Theatre” by the San Antonio Current from 2022 to 2024.

A Noise Within Appoints Conner Criswell as Managing Director

A Noise Within in Pasadena, California, has announced the promotion of current General Manager Conner Criswell to Managing Director. Criswell succeeds Douglas Love-Ramos. He holds an MA from the University of Denver in art and culture management and a BA in theatre arts from the University of Oregon. Prior to joining A Noise Within, he served as Executive Associate and Rental Manager at Orlando Shakespeare Theater and held roles at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, as well as the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts and Upstart Crow Studios in Eugene, Oregon.

Portland Center Stage Welcomes Heather de Michele as Managing Director

Portland Center Stage at The Armory in Portland, Oregon, has appointed Heather de Michele as its new Managing Director, effective April 6th. She succeeds Liam Cass-Lentz. De Michele brings over 15 years of experience driving organizational growth and advancing equity in the arts. She previously served as Executive Director of Live Wire Radio, where she led donor stewardship and fundraising, and as Managing Director of The Groundlings Theatre and School in Los Angeles, where she grew the organization’s patron base and developed a diversity, equity, and inclusion program in partnership with NBC Universal.