Charles Chemin Named Artistic Director of The Watermill Center Following Robert Wilson’s Passing

The Watermill Center, a multidisciplinary arts center in New York State, has appointed Charles Chemin as its new Artistic Director. The announcement follows the death of the center’s founder, Robert Wilson, in August 2025. Chemin, a long-time collaborator and protégé of Wilson, assumes the role as his chosen successor, ushering in a new era for the institution.

A Collaborative Legacy

Charles Chemin, born in Paris, France in 1983, is a French-American director, dramaturg, and lighting designer. His 33-year collaboration with Robert Wilson began as an actor, evolving into a co-directorship and dramaturgical role on over twenty Wilson works since 2009, including productions featuring Isabelle Huppert and Maria de Medeiros [The Watermill Center]. He also directed Wilson in a solo performance of Krapp’s Last Tape.

Expanding Artistic Horizons

Prior to his appointment as Artistic Director, Chemin served as the Artistic Director of The Watermill Center’s International Summer Program since 2020. His directorial perform spans theater, dance, and opera, with international productions including Eric Breton’s Le Messie at the Opéra d’Avignon and Roberto Valera’s Cubanacan at the Havana Opera [Charles Chemin]. He has also created scenic sound pieces, such as 20 silences, and museum live works with artists like Carlos Soto.

Recent Projects and Wilson’s Final Work

In 2024, Chemin directed the singers in a new version of Carmen choreographed by Israel Galvan, performed at the Paris Philharmonie [Charles Chemin]. He also developed the script for Seven Solitudes, a production based on the works of Lithuanian author Oskar Miloš, which became one of Robert Wilson’s final artistic endeavors. Wilson completed the work before his death, and it premiered in Kaunas, Lithuania, in March 2026 [Dramosteatras.lt].

A New Era for The Watermill Center

Chemin’s appointment marks a significant transition for The Watermill Center, founded in 1992 by Robert Wilson. He brings an expansive international perspective and a commitment to diversity, aiming to strengthen experimentation through dialogue and exchange [The Watermill Center].