LCT's Paige Evans Named Signature Theatre's New Artistic Director

Signature Theatre's Board of Trustees announced today the appointment of Paige Evans as Artistic Director beginning July 1, 2016. She succeeds Founding Artistic Director James Houghton, who will step down at the end of June. Ms. Evans comes to Signature Theatre from Lincoln Center Theater, where she has served as Artistic Director of LCT3 since its inception in 2008.

Chairman Edward Norton said, "Jim Houghton built Signature Theatre around the unique mission of giving playwrights a platform for their entire body of work while also revolutionizing the way that equal access to theatre for all people is made possible through the affordable Ticket lnitiative. Over 25 years, he grew Signature into one of the great theatres in America. Now Signature is making smart, proactive moves to incubate the success of its next 25 years by cultivating the next generation of artistic leadership. We're so excited to have Paige Evans lead this next chapter. She brings a depth of experience and artistic vision and a real passion for our social service mission that make her a perfect fit for this company."

Paige Evans said, "I'm incredibly excited to be joining Signature Theatre. With great vision, Jim Houghton has created an exceptional home for playwrights, the theatrical community and audiences. I'm privileged to be working with Erika Mallin and Signature's Board of Trustees and staff on this next chapter. Over the past eight years, I've been delighted to build a new program and theater along with Andre Bishop, Adam Siegel, Hattie Jutagir, and the Board of Directors and staff of Lincoln Center Theater and to work with many talented artists at LCT3. I look forward to continuing those relationships in the years ahead."

Founding Artistic Director James Houghton adds, "Paige Evans embodies all that we could possibly hope for in an artistic leader. She has spent the last twenty years dedicated to advancing the field and our writing community and has done so with tremendous integrity and determination. We're lucky to have her and I look forward to supporting Paige as she leads Signature into this next exciting phase."

President Kate Roche Hope said, "Simply put, Paige Evans is a perfect fit for Signature Theatre. Throughout this search process I have watched with great admiration a spirit of collaboration among trustees, artists, and staff alike that makes me more confident than ever that Signature Theatre and The Pershing Square Signature Center will thrive for years to come. I can't wait to work with Paige and our entire team as we seed a very bright future together."

Executive Director Erika Mallin said, "I'm thrilled to have Paige Evans come on board as Artistic Director. She has a deep passion for Signature's mission and for its belief to make theatre accessible to all. I'm so excited to partner with Paige to build on Jim's legacy and continue the great work of this thriving institution."

As Artistic Director of Signature Theatre, Evans will work alongside Executive Director Erika Mallin. Now in its 25th Season, Signature Theatre exists to honor and celebrate the playwright, making an extended commitment to a playwright's body of work. By championing in-depth explorations of a playwright's body of work, Signature delivers an intimate and immersive journey into the playwright's singular vision. In 2014 Signature became the first New York City theatre to receive the Regional Theatre Tony Award.

Signature serves its mission through its permanent home at The Pershing Square Signature Center, a three-theatre facility on West 42nd Street designed by Frank Gehry Architects to host Signature's three distinct playwrights' residencies and foster a cultural community. Through the Signature Ticket Initiative: A Generation of Access, Signature has also made an unprecedented commitment to making its productions accessible by underwriting the cost of initial run tickets, currently priced at $25, through 2031.

As Artistic Director of LCT3 since its inception in 2008, Paige Evans has programmed, developed and produced more than 20 world and New York premieres, bringing new artists and new audiences to Lincoln Center Theater. Productions have included David Adjmi's Stunning, Amy Herzog's 4000 Miles, Greg Pierce's Slowgirl, Ayad Akhtar's Disgraced, the Rude Mechs' Stop Hitting Yourself and Dave Malloy's Preludes. Under Ms. Evans' direction, LCT3 plays and productions - all priced affordably and presented to a wide audience - have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as numerous Obie, Lortel and Audelco Awards. Before LCT3, Ms. Evans was Associate Artistic Director of Manhattan Theatre Club. She has taught at the New School for Drama and NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. From 1998-2000, Ms. Evans lived in Havana, Cuba on a writing fellowship with the Institute of Current World Affairs. Ms. Evans has served on committees for the Steinberg Playwright Awards, the PEN Award, the Horton Foote Prize, the Wasserstein Prize and PEW Center grants. She attended Harvard College and currently lives in Brooklyn with her son.

The search for Signature Theatre's new Artistic Director began in the Spring of 2015 when James Houghton announced he was stepping down after founding the company 25 years ago. Houghton will continue his relationship with Signature in the role of Founder. The Board of Trustees conducted a national search and retained the executive recruiting firm Albert Hall & Associates to support its efforts.