NAKED ANGELS Announces Liz Carlson as New Artistic Director

Naked Angels, the eclectic downtown theater company that recently partnered with the New School for Drama under the leadership of Naked Angels founding company member Pippin Parker, is pleased to announce that New School alumna Liz Carlson will assume the role of Artistic Director of Naked Angels beginning May 1, 2013, further enhancing the relationship between the two companies. Current Artistic Director Andy Donald, who succeeded Geoffrey Nauffts in July 2011 after two years as Associate Artistic Director, departs the company for a new position as a creative producer at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

Alyson Brandt, Naked Angels' Board Chair said, "We are grateful for Andy's leadership with Naked Angels over the last four years. In addition to finding and producing standout work such as This Wide Night, he also helped us create new and important programs such as Naked Radio and 3Thursdays-wonderful additions to our development programs. His strategic thinking, strong relationships and passion will be missed and has been greatly appreciated. He joins us in welcoming Liz Carlson as our new Artistic Director. We are excited to begin our work with her and the New School."

Andy Donald said, "The past four years at Naked Angels have been by far the most important in my career so far, and I can't thank this company and board of directors enough for giving me the privilege of carrying on the legacy. I'm honored to have been a part of the company's long overdue Broadway debut, the successes of homegrown new works Off-Broadway, the birth of new initiatives like Naked Radio and 3Thursdays, and the growth of our board and supporter base. I leave knowing that the company is primed for my talented colleague Liz to continue our tradition of producing some of the most provocative new work around."

Liz Carlson said, "I am honored to have been selected as Naked Angels' newest Artistic Director. I look forward to continuing the developmental programming and invigorating productions that have long been a part of Naked Angels' rich history, and to articulate its new role as the professional partner for The New School for Drama. As a New School alum, I am confident that this partnership will prove to be most significant for both organizations and the New York theater community. I am grateful to Andy, the company, and the board of directors for entrusting me with this role at this thrilling time."

Donald was a part of the producing team that transferred Naked Angels' first play to Broadway with Next Fall by Geoffrey Nauffts (2 Tony nominations, including Best Play). Under his leadership, Naked Angels broke the company's box office records with the American premiere of the Susan Smith Blackburn Award-winning This Wide Night by Chloe Moss (starring Edie Falco and Alison Pill, 5 Lortel nominations), and presented the world premiere of Outside People by Zayd Dohrn in a co-production with the Vineyard Theatre. Donald also created the company's popular podcast series, Naked Radio, its education program 3Thursdays serving New York City high school students, and expanded the company's long-running development programs on both coasts. Along with founding company member Pippin Parker, he most recently established the partnership/residency between Naked Angels and the New School for Drama.

Liz Carlson is a director and producer in New York City. She has developed work with Jen Silverman, Daniel Pearle, Victor Lesniewski, Dan McCabe, Meghan Deans, Jessica Hinds, Donaldo Prescod and composer Ronnie Reshef at The Flea, EST, |the claque|, Manhattan School of Music, The New School for Drama, within FringeNYC, and others. Other Directing: A Bicycle Country by Nilo Cruz and Architruc by Robert Pinget (Williamstown Theatre Festival); Dylan by Sidney Michaels (Do Not Go Gentle Productions); A Soldier's Tale by Igor Stravinsky & C.F. Ramuz (Mannes College The New School for Music). Liz has produced series of new work such as The Quick and Dirties: Pump Up The Play! with |the claque| and large production events such as The Shakes: Romeo & Juliet at The Flea. Notable Assisting Credits: The Call by Tanya Barfield, dir. Leigh Silverman (Playwrights Horizons); The Madrid by Liz Flahive, dir. Leigh Silverman (MTC); Giant by Sybille Pearson & Michael John LaChiusa, dir. Michael Greif (The Public & Dallas Theater Center); The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde, dir. David Hyde Pierce (Williamstown Theatre Festival); Medieval Play written & directed by Kenneth Lonergan (Signature Theatre Company). MFA: The New School for Drama. Liz is a 2012-2013 Resident Director at The Flea Theater and a 2013 Drama League Directing Fellow.