Redhouse Arts Center Names Hunter Foster Artistic Director

Redhouse Arts Center, its Executive Director Samara Hannah and its Board of Trustees today announced that Broadway actor, director and writer, Hunter Foster, will be the theatre's new artistic director. This appointment follows an extensive national search and brings an artistic leader with outstanding credentials and national reach and impact.

Hunter Foster will lead Redhouse's Artistic programming, taking on the position full time this December. Until then, he will be wrapping up prior projects and commitments including his upcoming show The Other Josh Cohen that opens Monday, November 12, Off-Broadway at the West Side Theatre. He will also begin working collaboratively with Hannah to begin the process of programming the 2019-20 season.

Mr. Foster brings an impressive and diverse background that includes acting, directing and writing. As an actor he has performed on Broadway in Little Shop of Horrors which he received a Tony Award Nomination, originated the role of Bobby Strong in Urinetown, The Producers, The Bridges of Madison County, Hands on a Hardbody, Million Dollar Quartet, Footloose, Les Misérables, Grease, Pump Boys and Dinettes and King David.

As a director Foster is also beginning to reach an equally impressive level of prominence. He recently directed The Other Josh Cohen off-Broadway at the West Side theatre, and also the critically acclaimed production of The Drowsy Chaperone at the Goodspeed Opera House.

He is currently Artistic Associate at the Bucks County Playhouse where he has directed: 42nd Street, Clue, Guys and Dolls, Company, Ain't Misbehavin', The Buddy Holly Story, National Pastime, The Rocky Horror Show, Summer of '42, Million Dollar Quartet and It's a Wonderful Life. He also directed the world premiere of two new musicals, One Hit Wonder, for the University of Michigan and A Connecticut Christmas Carol for Goodspeed Musicals. Other directing credits include: Our Town (Theatre Aspen), The Other Josh Cohen (Geva Theatre), Cabaret, My Fair Lady, The Foreigner, Clue (Cape Playhouse) Grease (North Carolina Theatre), Spamalot (Casa Manana); and has directed productions of The Million Dollar Quartet for the Paper Mill Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse, Geva Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, St. Louis Rep and at many other theaters around the country.

In addition to his acting and directing credits, Foster has written the librettos for two off- Broadway musicals, Summer of '42 for which he received an Outer Critic Circle Award for Best musical, and Jasper in Deadland. Other writing credits include: The Circus in Winter

(Goodspeed Musicals), Clyde and Bonnie: A Folktale (Aurora Theatre), Sleepy Hollow (Signature Theatre) and The Big Boom.

"Among the pool of impressive and diverse candidates, Hunter immediately stood out," said Samara Hannah, Executive Director of Redhouse Arts Center. "Hunter's outstanding work on Broadway and around the country, his reach and accomplishments will propel Redhouse into our next chapter of growth. He brings an exceptional background in acting, directing and writing to our community and will bring a new level of live theatre to Syracuse and Central New York. We are excited to welcome him to Syracuse and for the theatre leadership he brings" she continued.

When asked what led to his decision to accept the position and what he loved about the opportunity in Syracuse, he stated "I was attracted to Redhouse because of the energy of the downtown area and the tremendous potential of the new facility which is one of the most impressive new theatre spaces that I've ever seen. This new space allows us to produce shows in many varied and experimental ways which will make Redhouse a unique cultural destination in Syracuse. My hope is to bring to the forefront and help cultivate new artists in the Central New York region who will have the opportunity to work side by side with established professionals from Broadway and around the country. I also want to make sure we continue the long history of educational opportunity for children and teens that want learn in all areas of theatre both in production and performance. I believe that Redhouse has all the ingredients to become a viable and important theatre beyond Syracuse, and I am excited to be a part of its future.

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