Blackfriars Welcomes New Artistic & Managing Director

Blackfriars Theatre (Blackfriars) welcomes Danny Hoskins as Artistic and Managing Director of the organization. Mr. Hoskins inherits the position from Blackfriars current Artistic and Managing Director, John Haldoupis, who will step down as artistic leader of the organization after the close of the 2014-2015 Season. Mr. Hoskins will serve as Associate Artistic Director through the current season, working closely with Blackfriars' Board and staff, and take the reigns of the company when Mr. Haldoupis takes his final bow after 35 years of setting the artistic vision of Blackfriars Theatre. "It is with great pride and relief to have my good friend Danny Hoskins follow in my footsteps to guide an organization I dearly love and respect into its new and exciting chapter. A wonderful and innovative director and actor, he will bring a fresh new perspective and I am confident he is the best choice; I am looking forward to his vision of what a 'new' Blackfriars can be while upholding the high standards for which we are known. Bravo!"

Mr. Hoskins has been as an actor and director at Blackfriars Theatre since his return to Rochester in 2007. He has also served on the Board, as President of the Board and was a part of the most recent move to Blackfriars' Main Street Theatre. Mr. Hoskins has directed numerous productions at Blackfriars, including Take Me Out, Misery, Crimes of the Heart, The Mystery of Irma Vep, and The Pillowman. Prior to joining the Blackfriars team, he has held positions as both Artistic Director and Director of Innovation and Theatre Education with Rochester Children's Theatre. Mr. Hoskins holds an M.F.A. from the University of South Carolina and also serves as Adjunct Professor of Theatre at the University of Rochester, SUNY Brockport and Nazareth College. As an actor, he has performed at the Alliance Theatre Company, Hartford Stage Company, The Wings Theatre, Trustus Theatre, and Festival Theatre of St. Croix, as well as locally with Blackfriars Theatre, JCC CenterStage, PUSH Physical Theatre, and Rochester Children's Theatre.

"I have a very personal investment and connection to Blackfriars Theatre," Mr. Hoskins says. "When I returned to Rochester 8 years ago, Jack gave me my first opportunity and he believed in me and championed my work in a healthy, supportive, and artistically vibrant environment. I've seen numerous artists thrive and grow in the passionate and rich world Blackfriars has come to be known for and I'm thrilled to be given the opportunity to further Blackfriars' status as a distinguished, vital, and admired organization in the lives of our artists and our community."

Mr. Hoskins adds, "I'm truly excited to be a part of the next chapter of Blackfriars history. It's a bit daunting to follow Jack and the remarkable work he's achieved in his 35-year career. His artistry and leadership has been integral to the legacy of Blackfriars Theatre and I'm grateful to have had his mentorship for all the years I worked with Blackfriars and am looking forward to his guidance in his final season as Artistic Director. With the strength and passion of Blackfriars' current Board of Directors and the quality and integrity of not only the Rochester Theatre Community, but the wonderful patrons, volunteers and supporters Blackfriars works with, I'm looking forward to the next phase of their journey in the Rochester community."

Mr. Hoskins will serve as Associate Artistic Director for the 2014-2015 Season and will step into the role of Artistic and Managing Director as of July 1, 2015.

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