Access Theater announces the selection of Sarah Norris and Michael Aguirre as the new Artistic Director and Producing Director, respectively. Founder and owner Jacqueline Christy will shift to the new position of Executive Director as Access Theater enters its 24th season.
"We are thrilled to welcome Sarah and Michael as the new leadership team of Access Theater," said Jacqueline Christy. "They have been an integral part of the company for the last three years, producing dynamic and thought-provoking theater. They have an exciting plan to build on Access Theater's legacy as a home for theater artists. Their mission to seek out projects, theater companies, and individual theater artists to develop work at Access aligns perfectly with our foundation. I'm excited to see them bring their vision of Access to life, and know they will lead the charge for an exciting future."
Sarah Norris is a producer and director. She is currently working as an associate producer on the Broadway production of HUGHIE, starring
Forest Whitaker. Her directing credits include: In the Soundless Awe (NLTP, #1 Show of the Week by NY Theatre Guide) and Picture Ourselves in Latvia (NLTP, named 'Best of 2014' by The L Magazine).
Michael Aguirre is a producer and playwright who has worked in Chicago (Steppenwolf, First Folio), Philadelphia (The Wilma), and in New York (The Acting Studio, Pearl Theatre, Waterwell). He was a past Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild Fellowship Recipient and Evans Scholar.
In 2013, Norris and Aguirre founded New Light Theater Project (NLTP), and were named "People of the Year" by Indie Theater Now in 2014, and subsequently, inducted into the Hall of Fame. Over the course of 3 years, they have produced 11 plays, 3 musicals, and 10 Darkroom Series (a co-production with Access that serves as a celebration of artists and new works in the Off-Off Broadway theater community).
Since 1992, Access Theater has produced, co-produced and presented the works of innovative theater artists. Access's long history includes the world premiere plays by many successful and ground-breaking artists including: The Killing Act starring
Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) written by Academy Award winner
Tom McCarthy (Spotlight), Tape by
Stephen Belber, Sakina's Restaurant by
Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show), and An Empty Plate by
Michael Hollinger. Access co-produced the three-week extension of Bedlam Ensemble's acclaimed production of Saint Joan and has co-produced the work of playwrights
Brian Dykstra,
David Johnston,
Josh Lefkowitz,
Matthew Freeman, and
David Foley. When not producing its own works, Access seeks innovative, not-for-profit producing organizations devoted to the production of new works and new approaches to classics. Fiasco Theater's acclaimed production of Cymbeline premiered at Access. Recent producing companies include: Wandering Bark Theatre Company, The Ammoralists, and New Light Theater Project.
"We are excited to continue the mission of Access Theater, providing a dynamic and nurturing home for artists to create new work and hone their craft," said Norris and Aguirre. "Access provided us with one of our first producing opportunities in this city, and we are looking to pay it forward by supporting artists at every level."
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